MONTREAL (AP) — Japhet Selly Larsen and Jesus Bueno scored second-half goals as Philadelphia beat CF Montreal in its long-awaited home opener 2-1 on Saturday, ending Union’s club-record six-game losing streak to start the season.
In the 23rd minute, Ivan Jaime received a pass from defender Efrain Morales and scored, giving Montreal a 1-0 lead. This was his first goal in 12 career games. Morales recorded his first assist last season and has two assists in 22 games.
Milan Iroski’s first assist of the season sets up the first-year defender Larsen’s first goal — A header that tied the score in the 55th minute.
Bueno gave Union a 2-1 lead. He scored his first goal of the season in the 70th, and his fifth goal in 71 career games. Ezekiel Arad, a 20-year-old rookie forward, came on as a substitute in the 66th minute and recorded his first assist. Defender Nathan Harriel recorded his second assist of the season and seventh in 116 games, both with Philadelphia.
Andre Blake made his 273rd career start and saved four shots, all since 2014 with Union (1-6-0).
Thomas Guillier made five saves in the 15th game of his career and seventh of the season for Montreal (1-6-0), which earned its only points in a 3-0 win over the New York Red Bulls in six straight road games to begin its first full season under manager Marco Donadel.
Coach Bradley Carnell’s Union club had never had a lead this season until Bueno’s goal.
Philadelphia had the second-worst start to a season, tied with the 2001 New England Revolution. Toronto set a record in 2012 by losing nine straight.
Union became the first team in league history to lose their opening six games after winning the Supporters’ Shield last season.
to the next
Philadelphia: Hosts DC United on Saturday.
Montreal: Hosts the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
