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The Canadian Press

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MONTREAL - Joey Gjertsen scored in the 42nd minute as the Montreal Impact defeated Real Esteli FC of Nicaragua 1-0 in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League series on Wednesday night.

Montreal will take its one-goal lead into the second leg of the series, which is to be played Sept. 2 at Carlos Miranda Stadium in Comayagua, Honduras, because Nicaragua doesn't have a venue that meets FIFA standards.

Gjertsen had missed a chance from the edge of the penalty area in the 24th minute and another when he was in too tight in the 29th before he found the goal.

A long, arced pass from Leo Di Lorenzo into the front of the net was misplayed by an Esteli defender onto the foot of Gjertsen, who put a low blast from 25 yards inside the left post.

The Impact wasted many other chances in a match in which they held a clear advantage in play over the smaller Nicaraguan club, and now must go into hostile territory with the slimmest of leads.

The winner of the two-game, total-goals series advances to the 16-team group stage scheduled to be played between Sept. 15 and Oct. 30.