Montreal CF, Columbus Crew play to scoreless draw

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

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CF Montreal stayed unbeaten and the Columbus Crew remained goalless when the teams played to a scoreless tie in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday.

Combined with a 0-0 tie against Philadelphia in the season opener, this is the second time Columbus has gone scoreless in their first two MLS matches of the season or allowed no goals in the first two, since scoreless games against the New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake in 2007.

Montreal has gone unbeaten in its first three matches one other time -- a 4-0-0 start in 2013.

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The Crew were outshot 20-3 and Montreal goalkeeper Clement Diop did not have to make a save. Eloy Room made three saves for the Crew.

Montreal wanted to take advantage of the near 90-degree weather at its temporary home due to COVID-related travel restrictions.

The Crew played a 2-2 tie at home against Mexico's Monterrey on Wednesday in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. Columbus coach Caleb Porter, because of that game and the return leg this Wednesday, made five lineup changes but was not pleased by their collective efforts.

"I didn't like the energy from the five guys that we rotated in," he told Bally Sports Ohio at half-time.

There was little action in the first half, especially for the Crew, who did not register a shot.

Montreal had 10 shot attempts with two on goal. Romell Quioto had a strike from distance in the 19th that Room had no trouble with but Room was challenged in the 36th when Mustafa Kizza tried to sneak a shot past him at the left post from a difficult angle on the left side.

Mason Toye, who had scored in both games, was a late scratch for Montreal. No reason was given.

Montreal plays Vancouver at the Whitecaps' temporary home in Sandy, Utah, on May 8. The Crew's next MLS match is also May 8 when D.C. United visits Columbus.