Richie Laryea’s goal in the 38th minute was the only scoring Saturday night as visiting Toronto FC stopped Montreal CF 1-0 in a matchup of Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls.

In upping its record to 9-14-3, good for 30 points, Toronto was outshot 11-6 but allowed just two shots to get to goalie Sean Johnson. It was its first clean sheet since a 0-0 draw May 29 at Philadelphia and just its second win in 12 matches.

Montreal (6-10-9, 27 points) missed on a pair of good chances to at least salvage a tie late. Matias Coccaro beat Johnson in the 80th minute but not the crossbar, while Josef Martinez’s header in the third minute of stoppage time sailed over the net.

It marked the second time this year that Toronto beat Montreal, although its 5-1 win on May 18 in Ontario was certainly much easier than this outcome. The teams played physically throughout the match, combining for 30 fouls and four yellow cards.

Toronto defended its net with the kind of fervor it hasn’t always shown this season, notching a dozen clearances to make up for Montreal’s 13-5 advantage in crosses. Montreal lost despite earning nine percent more possession time.

Both teams entered the match looking to make defensive improvements. Both ranked in the bottom five of the league in conceding goals, allowing around two per match.

In that regard, Toronto and Montreal did what they set out to do in the first half. The teams combined for just four shots and only one between them was put on frame. But that one enabled Toronto to take a lead going into the half.

Federico Bernardeschi sent Lorenzo Insigne down the right side in the box with a slick pass and Montreal defenders slowed up, thinking the officials would flag it for offsides. When they didn’t, Laryea enjoyed an unmarked run to the left post and flicked home Insigne’s cross for his first goal in just his fourth match of the year.

–Field Level Media