The Montreal Impact have won their Home Opener for the first time in MLS and learned an important lesson about Coach Marco Schallibaum's combative spirit.

Schallibaum was feisty and had pointed words with Toronto players and fellow MLS rookie coach Ryan Nelsen after a 2-1 victory the Impact almost let slip away.

Montreal faced early adversity in the Home Opener against TFC.  In the 10th minute, Alessandro Nesta, suffered injury on his right leg.

"I feel a little problem in my abductor and it is nothing special," Nesta told CJAD after the game.  "I hope to play next game or another one."  That gives hope he could see action against the New York Red Bulls next Saturday (4PM Countdown to First Kick on CJAD 800).

Nesta will be needed.  The Impact hung on for dear life in the 2nd half versus Toronto, giving up a penalty-kick goal to Robert Earnshaw, who has scored all 3 of TFC's goals this season.

In the first half, Marco Di Vaio had 2 early chances for his first goal of the season.

Andres Romero made his first MLS start and was effective and creative in the opening half, drawing a penalty that Patrice Bernier buried for his 1st goal of the season.  Bernier is now 7/7 on penalties in MLS dating back through the debut 2012 season.

Captain Davy Arnaud and Bernier picked up assists in added time before the Halftime break as Di Vaio was set up in the area, made a move right with Toronto's keeper Joseph Bendik out of position.  Di Vaio drilled a high shot home for his 1st goal and a 2-0 lead.

Montreal's play suffered in the 2nd Half, with Andrea Pisanu and Romero subbing out for the more steady Collen Warner and Sanna Nyassi, who used his speed effectively to help kill precious time and take the play deep in the Toronto third.

Matteo Ferrari, who was solid on the backline along with Jeb Brovsky, admitted the Impact "played scared" after allowing the Toronto penalty goal.

The Impact are back home next Saturday afternoon for a 4PM Pregame Show against the New York Red Bulls.