Phil Neville and Inter Miami see off a challenge from CF Montreal… as goals from Sergey Krivchev and Sanider Borgelin give the Herons a 2-0 win on MLS opening day
Inter Miami won at home on the opening day of the 2023 MLS season, knocking off Eastern Conference rival CF Montreal by a score of 2-0.
Ukrainian centre-back Sergey Krivtsov scored in the 41st minute with a header from close range, and after a series of missed opportunities and shots off the woodwork, Shanyder Borgelin extended the lead in the 76th minute.
Saturday marked the debut for Miami’s new signing Josef Martinez, who completed a major move to Inter in the summer.
Drake Callender made six saves for the shutout as Inter Miami dominated the season opener at DRV Pink Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
It is the first time in Inter Miami’s four-year history that they have started a season with a win.
An early goal for Sergey Krivtsov gave Inter Miami an Opening Night win over Montreal
Montreal endured a difficult start to the season after finishing second in the Eastern Conference in 2022 in a record campaign.
Callender, who started 24 games for Miami last season, recorded the fifth clean sheet of his career.
Kryvtsov, a 32-year-old signed from Ukraine, scored the game’s opening goal in the 41st minute from a corner.
Kryvtsov waited at the far post for a ball deflected on goal by Gregore and sent the ball into the net with his left hip.
The project was started in the nearby corner by Jean Mota.
Montreal almost tied the game two minutes later when Romell Quioto’s header from inside the six-yard box was blocked by Callender.
Borgelin, who entered the game in the 68th minute, added to the Miami lead in the 76th minute with a right-footed shot from the center of the area.
Miami goaltender Drake Callender had six saves in the shutout’s win Saturday night
It is the first time in Inter Miami’s four-season history that they have started their campaign with a win
The play started with a shot that was clipped off the right post by Ariel Lassiter, with the rebound bouncing to Borgelin, who was stopped by a line save by defenseman Samuel Piette.
But the ball found its way back to Borgelin and he made the most of the second chance to find the bottom right corner of the goal.
Miami had 18 shots in the game and held advantages in shots on goal (7-6), blocked shots (5-4) and crosses.
Montreal had the ball 55.7% to Miami’s 44.3% and led in passing (440-356), passing accuracy (82.2% to 78.7%), face-offs won (60-57) and turnovers ( 17-10).