Jacob Shaffelburg and Taylor Washington scored to lift host Nashville SC to a 2-0 victory over CF Montreal on a rainy Saturday night.
Shaffelburg scored off an assist from Hany Mukhtar in the 37th minute before Washington secured the win by volleying Shaq Moore’s cross into the back of the net for his first MLS goal in the 89th minute.
The Music are unbeaten through three games (2-0-1).
Nashville, which is in its fourth season, continued its mastery of Montreal, remaining unbeaten in six all-time matches, including wins in the past three meetings.
Shaffelburg has two of the four goals scored by Nashville this season. The club has yet to allow a goal.
Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis didn’t make a save to earn his 52nd career shutout, as all eight of Montreal’s shots missed the goal.
Teal Bunbury had a golden chance to double Nashville’s lead in the 69th minute, but his shot on a breakaway hit the post.
Nashville put the game away when Washington volleyed Moore’s crossing pass from close range into the back of the net in the 89th minute.
Nashville, which had possession for just 34.3 percent of the match, finished with 12 shots, but just four were on target. The Music completed 74.6 percent of their 319 passes.
Nashville broke through in the 37th minute.
Mukhtar — the league’s reigning MVP and Golden Boot winner — collected the ball near midfield and sprinted toward the goal. He slid a pass to Shaffelburg, who blasted a shot past diving goalie Jonathan Sirois for a 1-0 lead.
The Music finished with three first-half shots, but Shaffelburg’s goal was the only one on target. Nashville completed 75.9 percent of its 174 passes before halftime.
Montreal had possession for 62.4 percent of the first half, but had just two shots, both missing the net. Montreal completed 85.6 percent of its 298 passes in the opening 45 minutes.
Montreal has its home opener against Philadelphia on March 18, while Nashville visits the New England Revolution that day in Foxborough, Mass.
–Field Level Media
