Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar, right and CF Montreal midfielder Victor Wanyama battle for the ball during first half MLS soccer action on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
MONTREAL – CF Montreal won their eighth consecutive home game in all competitions, beating Nashville SC 1-0 at Stade Saputo on Wednesday night.
Bryce Duke scored the lone goal for Montreal (7-9-1) in the 27th minute, ending Nashville’s 10-game unbeaten run.
Nashville (10-3-5) began the game in its standard low block, deploying two banks of four behind its strikers, conceding possession and looking for a counterattack.
However, Montreal’s consistent pressure snuffed out any opportunity for Nashville to hit back, allowing the hosts to find the lead at the half-hour mark.
After being played through on goal, Sunusi Ibrahim decided against shooting and instead cut the ball back to the edge of the penalty area, where a waiting Duke powered the ball into the bottom corner.
It’s the 11th time in all competitions that Montreal has scored first, winning all those games.
Down a goal, Nashville emerged from its defensive shell and commanded more of the ball. Nashville nearly equalized two minutes into the second half, but Jacob Shaffelburg skied a point-blank shot following a disastrous giveaway from Montreal defender Rudy Camacho.
Nashville continued to press, this time forcing a last-ditch save from Montreal midfielder Mathieu Choinière when Taylor Washington was found alone in the penalty area during a counterattack.
As both teams traded chances, it was Montreal’s turn to batten down the hatches defensively in the final 15 minutes. With substitutions reinforcing the backline, Montreal also extended its home clean-sheet streak to eight games.
Both teams play again on June 24 with Montreal heading on the road to Charlotte FC while Nashville will be in Columbus to face the Crew.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2023.
