Crew, CF Montreal plays to 0-0 draw – HUGE REPORT

Just days after defeating CF Monterrey in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals, the Columbus Crew returned home to face CF Montreal. Looking for a league win since March 16, the Crew entered the game with four points from their last five MLS games. Meanwhile, the visitors were looking to extend their unbeaten streak to three as Montreal had not lost a game since April 6 (5-0 against Seattle Sounders).

A very timid crew tried to break the stalemate after just three minutes, but Mohamed Farsi was whistled for offside after a pass from Sean Zawadzki.

In the 12th minute, Jacen Russell-Rowe played a quick one-two with Farsi and saw his Canadian international push the ball back across the penalty area, but there was no support at the end of the pass. Montreal quickly countered, but their chance ended with a save from Patrick Schulte, keeping the game goalless.

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, alone at the penalty spot, was unable to 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 until halftime, with Columbus maintaining the upper hand but having nothing to show for it.

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

Jacen Russell-Rowe almost gave Columbus the lead in the 62nd minute when his header also hit the crossbar after Aidan Morris' shot was blocked from distance.

Schulte shone in the 68th minute when he made a point-blank save from Jules-Anthony Vilsant, keeping the score at 0-0.

In the 82nd minute, the Crew were inches away from the first goal when Cucho Hernandez hit Yaw Yeboah with a pass into the box. Yeboah shot at goal with the outside of his left foot but narrowly missed the frame.

It wasn't until the Crew had their best chance of the night that Max Arfsten got his foot in, sending a shot towards the far corner of the post, but the attempt was saved by an outstretched Jonathan Sirois, who finished the night with four saves.

Since the game ended in a 0-0 draw, the Crew now extends their winning streak to six games in MLS.

The first half has problems

With around 61% possession in the first half, the team did not register a shot on goal to compensate for their dominant possession.

Welcome back, Laurent Courtois

In a home game like never before, former Columbus Crew 2 head coach Laurent Courtois was back in Columbus for the first time since taking over as head coach at CF Montreal at the start of the season. Courtois led Columbus Crew 2 to back-to-back MLS Next Pro championships, winning the first title in 2022 before falling to Austin FC II last year.

What's next?

The Columbus Crew are on their way to Estadio BBVA for the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup against CF Monterrey. The Black & Gold hold a 2-1 lead overall. You can watch the game on Fox Sports 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:15 p.m. EDT.