CF Montreal’s home winless streak extended to nine games in 2-0 loss to Columbus Crew

“Every time we get ready to play — home or away — we know that we can win matches; we’ve done it before and showed that we can play well.”

Despite booking a ticket to the Canadian Championship final with a 3-2 aggregate win over one of the best teams in North America, the Vancouver Whitecaps, life in MLS has not been so simple.

Montreal were, until very recently, just three points away from the final playoff spot and were in heavy contention given their form. Since then — and more broadly, since the return from the World Cup break — the club has plummeted through the ranks to the Eastern Conference’s basement.

“There are many factors, namely that teams have gotten more used to us. Sometimes we’re too rigid with our identity and try to force new players into it instead of adapting,” said interim head coach Philippe Eullaffroy. “Even with the content of the games still being relatively correct, we need to be more efficient; it feels like we’re diluting our identity right now.”

Columbus fired several warning shots early in the game, forcing last-ditch tackles from Montreal and even a powerful Santiago Rodríguez shot that smashed against the crossbar.

With the matchup featuring the lowest-scoring home and away teams in MLS, respectively, both teams generated just one shot on target — an unthreatening effort that rolled to the hands of Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.

“It’s a disappointing result, and our game was far from perfect, but we’ve had far worse games than that. Offensively, we’re missing finishing, aggression, and taking the initiative,” said Piette. “We’re too timid when it comes to making that final action.

“When you don’t score, you have to play defensively perfect, and their individual quality made the difference.”

Montreal started the second half controlling possession and enjoyed longer stints in attacking positions. However, Columbus opened the scoring in the 57th minute on the counter.

After picking up the ball near midfield, Farsi charged down the left flank unchallenged until the edge of the penalty area and caught out Montreal goalkeeper Sebastian Breza with a low driven shot that slipped through his hands.

“That first goal we conceded is a bit symptomatic of our season. We put ourselves in difficult positions, and the opposition makes us pay,” said Eullaffroy. “We don’t have a team that can afford to be at 80 per cent intensity; we always have to be at 100.”

Montreal thought it had found an equalizer when a slick bit of passing left Prince Owusu with a wide-open goal, but the play was called back for offside after video review.

Columbus made matters worse for the hosts in the 68th minute through a sensational set piece. With Breza expecting a cross, he did not react in time as Mendez sent a perfect free kick into the top corner.

Montreal brought in more attacking players off the bench in hopes of generating a comeback but failed to create any offence of substance.

“(When running in behind) they’re more reactive than proactive. It’s something that we’re quite average at, and we don’t exploit that space in behind nearly enough,” said Eullaffroy. “Our quality can only be collective because sometimes we lack that individual quality; it always has to be a team effort.”

UP NEXT

Montreal: End a three-game homestand on Sept. 26 against FC Cincinnati.

Columbus: Face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on the road on Sept. 26.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2026.

Elias Grigoriadis, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

CF Montreal’s home winless streak extended to nine games in 2-0 loss to Columbus Crew

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