A goal in the 42nd minute from midfielder Joey Gjertsen gave the Montreal Impact a 1-0 win against visiting Real Esteli FC in the preliminary leg of the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League at Saputo Stadium on Wednesday.
With minutes to go until halftime, Gjertsen picked up a weak clearing attempt at the top of the penalty area and struck a right-footed volley that found the bottom-left corner of the net to open the scoring for Montreal, which survived an improved effort from the Nicaraguan club in the second half.
The Impact and Real Esteli are among 16 teams from 13 different nations and territories participating in the preliminary stage of the tournament, which involves a home-and-away series that determines a winner using aggregate goals.
Montreal and Real Esteli will square off in the second leg of the opening round next Tuesday at Carlos Miranda Stadium, in Comayagua, Honduras. The game won't be played in Nicaragua as no stadium was in line with the FIFA norms required for the tournament.
More to come
Pistorius's latest bid for Beijing falls short
Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius improved his time in the 400 metres by more than a second in a race on Friday, but he still fell short of the time needed to qualify for the Beijing Games.
Sharks put veteran McLaren on waivers
The San Jose Sharks placed oft-injured defenceman Kyle McLaren on waivers Tuesday.
Bills' Hargrove pleads guilty to disorderly conduct
Buffalo Bills defensive end Anthony Hargrove pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct for a fight with police outside a Rochester, N.Y., nightclub in August.
Contact Us About Us HomeMonday, December 1st, 2008