NYCFC raises championship banner, find offense in rout of Montreal

NEW YORK -- Alex Callens scored a goal - the first this season for the defending MLS Cup champions -- and New York City FC breezed to a 4-1 victory over CF Montreal on Saturday.

Santiago Rodriguez added what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 20th minute for NYCFC (1-1-1), which unveiled its 2021 championship banner prior to kickoff.

Talles Magno scored in the 64th minute and Thiago Andrade found the net in the 83rd to cap the scoring for NYCFC.

Zachary Brault-Guillard scored in the 52nd minute for Montreal, which has lost three straight to open the season.

NYCFC outshot Montreal 13-9, with a 9-1 edge in shots on goal.

Sebastian Breza made five saves for Montreal.

These teams take to the pitch again next Saturday, with NYCFC hosting the Philadelphia Union in a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference final, while Montreal visits Atlanta United.

Before then, NYCFC will play the second leg of its CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal stage against Comunicaciones on Tuesday. New York leads on aggregate 3-1.

In:
• MLS