Columbus Crew Tops CF Montreal 2-0 to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

The Columbus Crew beat CF Montreal 2-0 on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 at Stade Saputo. After a scoreless first half, Mo Farsi scored in the 57th minute, collecting the ball off a Sean Zawadzki challenge near midfield, dribbling into the box, and beating Sébastian Breza inside the left post. Two minutes later Prince Owusu's apparent equalizer was overturned for Fabian Herbers offside on video review. Brais Mendez made it 2-0 in the 68th with a 30-yard left-footed free kick that deflected off Breza's hands. Patrick Schulte made two saves for his fifth clean sheet. The Crew rose to 7-14-5 and 26 points, still six points outside the Eastern Conference's ninth and final playoff spot with eight games left. It was their first road win since April 4 in Atlanta, only their second road win of the season, and ended a two-game MLS skid. Montreal has lost five straight, is winless in six, and has nine straight home matches without a win. Laurent Courtois, fired by Montreal in March 2025, said he was really pleased with his guys and answered "Yes!" when asked if the win felt sweeter given that history. Farsi called it a great night and said he was super happy to score in front of family and friends; Mendez said he went far post to catch the keeper off-guard. Mendez had also scored the Open Cup semifinal winner three days earlier.