Although it was another winless weekend for Canadian sides in MLS on Matchday 3, two out of the three clubs earned a result as both Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps split points in their weekend fixtures. It was deja vu for CF Montreal.
Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 FC Dallas
The Whitecaps came into this Saturday afternoon matchup beaming with new confidence after they destroyed Real España in Concacaf Champions League play on Wednesday night winning 5-0. All their momentum from Wednesday was lost early into the game when FC Dallas opened up the score five minutes into the match.
Centre-back veteran Sebastien Ibeagha’s header in the box was his first career goal with his new club. Always dangerous up front, Paul Arriola almost put the game to bed minutes later with a great opportunity with his right foot but Whitecaps goalkeeper Takaoka came up huge.
Vancouver found the equalizer in the 34th minute as Ranko Veselinović snapped a light header to Ryan Gauld who looked like he netted his first goal of the season, but the tying goal was deemed an own goal by Paul Arriola.
Sharing the points at home.
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) March 12, 2023
Next up, @TheChampions Round of 16 (2nd leg) at Real C.D. España on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/FC8dHXxq8K
For the second consecutive year, the Whitecaps open their campaign winless in their first three matches of the year (0-2-1).
Toronto FC 1-1 Columbus Crew
Toronto FC opened up their home opener in frigid temperatures, which aren’t unusual for Canada at this time of the year. The home side would have to find a way once again to search for their first win of the campaign without MLS’ highest-paid player, Lorenzo Insigne.
TFC got off to a positive start in the 25th minute where the home side got on the board first thanks to Deandre Kerr. It was a Canadian partnership that led to the goal as the U-17 product Kerr netted his first of the season, finding the back of the net with a just left foot in the centre of the box, assisted by Canadian International Jonathan Osorio.
The Reds looked like they were en route to their first win in 2023, but the Columbus Crew had other plans. The 75th minute equalizer came thanks to a bullet from Jimmy Medranda. After the game was tied up, with15 minutes plus stoppage time to spare, both sides were content to go home with a point each.
Spoils shared in our home opener.#TORvCLB | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/U2VHrrg5bl
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) March 12, 2023
Though TFC is winless through three games, the positive is this club has only lost one match sitting (0-1-2) in the campaign.
Nashville SC 2-0 CF Montreal
Another Saturday, another loss for CF Montreal as the club once again not only lost their third straight match, they failed to register a goal this season, the only club in MLS to do so. Nashville improved their all-time head-to-head matchups against Montreal by going 4-0-2.
The only positive for CF Montreal after three weeks is the club has played all their matches on the road, finally returning home next weekend. We have seen in years past the trend of winning on the road in MLS is tough, where home teams have a 50 percent average winning record at home.
Jacob Shaffelburg opened the scoring in the 37th minute. Nashville never looked back as they added a late goal to insure the victory on Saturday night. Nashville is off to a solid start, remaining unbeaten through three games without conceding a goal.
Up Next
Next Saturday, Toronto FC welcomes Inter Miami CF at BMO Field. CF Montreal’s home opener will be played at the Olympic Stadium, hosting the Philadelphia Union. Vancouver Whitecaps will travel to SoCal and take on the Los Angeles Galaxy.