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Montreal claims first MLS win with defeat of TFC

Apr 7, 2012 - 6:21 PM Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - The Montreal Impact claimed their first win in Major League Soccer by defeating rivals Toronto FC, 2-1, at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday in the first edition of the Canadian Classic.

Montreal's poor start to the season saw head coach Jesse Marsch shuffle the lineup for Saturday's match, offering Sinisa Ubiparipovic his first minutes of the year. The midfielder rewarded Marsch's faith with the opening goal of the game. Rookie Andrew Wenger provided what proved to be the game-winning strike nine minutes from time as Danny Koevermans pulled back a consolation goal for Toronto in the dying minutes.

Ubiparipovic bagged his first goal of the season with a classy finish in the 18th minute. A turnover from the Toronto midfield was collected by Lamar Neagle and promptly distributed to Ubiparipovic, who curled a low shot from the top of the box that sailed just past the outstretched hand of Milos Kocic.

Toronto's hill became a mountain to climb in the second half when Logan Emory was given a straight card for denying Sanna Nyassi a scoring opportunity. The Impact striker was through on goal but Emory halted the advance with a barging challenge that sent Nyassi to ground just outside the box.

Nyassi's ensuing free kick looked destined for the upper corner, but his effort was foiled by a superb stop from Kocic.

Montreal did go on to seal the win with another goal as Wenger made the most of his appearance as a substitute to score in the 81st minute.

The first overall pick of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft latched on to a long ball over the top, cut the ball back inside the box and slotted a shot past Kocic for his first career professional goal.

Toronto got on the score sheet in the 88th minute to make for a nervy finish for the Impact. Reggie Lambe sent a pinpoint cross into the box and Koevermans displayed his predatory instincts by nodding the delivery past Ricketts for his first goal of the season.

The Impact held on though, claiming three points from a match for the first time since joining MLS.

The only downside to the memorable win was the fact that Montreal (1-4-1) was unable to keep a clean sheet. The Impact have conceded at least one goal in every MLS match this season, leaking a total of 12 goals at the back. They will look for a shutout in their next outing when they head to Texas to face FC Dallas on April 14.

Toronto (0-4-0) is not only without a win, but is still searching for its first point this season. Aron Winter's men will try to reverse their fortunes next Saturday when they host Chivas USA at BMO Field.