Crew, CF Montreal play to 0-0 stalemate

Just days after defeating CF Monterrey in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal, the Columbus Crew returned home to face off against CF Montreal. In search of a league win since March 16, the Crew came into the match earning four points out of their last five matches in MLS play. Meanwhile, the visitors were looking to extend their unbeaten streak to three, as Montreal had not lost a game since April 6 (5-0 vs Seattle Sounders).

A very timid Crew attempted to break the deadlock just three minutes in, but Mohamed Farsi was whistled for offside after receiving a pass from Sean Zawadzki.

In the 12th minute, Jacen Russell-Rowe played a quick one-two with Farsi, seeing his Canadian international comrade square a ball back across the penalty box, but no support was on the end of the pass. Montreal was able to quickly counter, but their opportunity ended with a Patrick Schulte save to keep the game scoreless.

Montreal’s best chance came in the 22nd minute, when Crew defender Yevhen Cheberko gave the ball away in his own defensive half. Mason Toye who stood alone at the penalty spot couldn’t get a shot on goal after receiving the loose ball, as Malte Amundsen was able to dispossess the Montreal attacker and clear the danger.

Both teams would remain scoreless heading into halftime, with Columbus holding the upper hand on possession but nothing to show for it.

It didn’t take long for Columbus to come out swinging at the beginning of the second half. Alex Matan was able to get around a Montreal defender and send a pass to the front of the six-yard box for Marino Hinestroza, but the shot ricocheted off of the crossbar.

Jacen Russell-Rowe came close to opening the scoring for Columbus in the 62nd minute when his header also hit the crossbar after an Aidan Morris shot that was blocked from distance.

Schulte shined in the 68th minute when he came up with a point-blank save against Jules-Anthony Vilsant to keep the match level at 0-0.

The Crew came inches to finally opening the scoring in the 82nd minute when Cucho Hernandez found Yaw Yeboah with a pass into the penalty area. Yeboah had a shot on goal with the outside of his left foot, but just missed the frame.

It wasn’t until the Crew’s best chance of the night came off of the foot of Max Arfsten, who finessed a shot towards the far post corner, but the attempt was saved by an outstretched Jonathan Sirois who ended the night on four saves.

With the game ending in a 0-0 draw, the Crew now extend their winless streak to six games in MLS play.

With approximately 61% possession in the first half, the Crew did not register a shot on goal to accommodate the dominant possession.

A homecoming match like no other saw former Columbus Crew 2 boss Laurent Courtois back in Columbus for the first time since taking over the head coach vacancy at CF Montreal at the beginning of the season. Courtois led Columbus Crew 2 to back-to-back MLS Next Pro championships, winning the inaugural title in 2022 before falling to Austin FC II last year.

The Columbus Crew are on the road to Estadio BBVA for the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup against CF Monterrey. The Black & Gold hold a 2-1 aggregate lead. You can watch the match on Fox Sports 1. Kickoff is set for 10:15pm EDT.