CF Montreal blanks Fire 2-0 and extends its unbeaten streak

CF Montreal extended its unbeaten streak to three games with a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.

Josef Martinez and Caden Clark were Montreal's offensive anchors (8-12-10, 34 points) and goaltender Jonathan Sirois made three saves to preserve the shutout. Montreal won back-to-back home games for the first time this season.

With the win, Montreal secured a split victory in the season series. The two teams had met in Chicago on March 16, with the Fire scoring twice after the 90th minute for a 4-3 victory.

Chicago (7-16-8, 29 points) has won just one of its last seven games (1-5-1). The Fire have won just one of their last seven road games (1-5-1) and have just 11 points away from home this season.

Clark made it 2-0 in the 74th minute, taking a cross from Kwadwo Opoku, who had come on two minutes earlier, and firing past goalkeeper Chris Brady for his second goal of the season.

Raheem Edwards nearly gave Montreal a 2-0 lead in the 52nd minute, but his left-footed shot from outside the box went just wide of the goal.

Clark had a great chance to double Montreal's lead four minutes into the second half, displaying some nice footwork in the box but placing his right-footed shot just above the woodwork.

CF Montreal controlled possession in the first half and led 1-0 after the first 45 minutes.

Montreal opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Martinez took a through ball from Nathan Saliba and sent it over Brady for his sixth goal of the season and 111th career MLS goal.

Next Saturday, CF Montreal will host the San Jose Earthquakes while Chicago will host Toronto FC.