Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran delivered a composed performance to earn a point in a goalless draw against CF Montreal at Stade Saputo on Thursday night.
The result marked the first MLS match played since the FIFA World Cup break, with both clubs eager to restart their campaigns on a positive note.
Gavran made three saves across the 90 minutes, claiming his first clean sheet of the season in his 15th start for the struggling Toronto side.
Montreal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier was barely tested throughout the evening, rounding out his third shutout of the season as his side dominated possession and territory.
CF Montreal controlled the game heavily, outshooting Toronto 15-7 overall and holding a 3-0 edge in shots on target, yet could not convert their dominance into a goal.
Hennadiy Synchuk proved to be Montreal’s most dangerous attacking threat, testing Gavran as early as the first minute with a half-volley from inside the penalty area.
The 20-year-old winger’s best opportunity came in the 66th minute when Gavran denied his blistering strike from the right side of the box, preserving Toronto’s unlikely clean sheet.
Synchuk squandered a follow-up chance on the ensuing corner when the ball dropped to his feet in the penalty area, as he dribbled past a defender before being stopped by Alonso Coello.
Former Montreal attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic made his return for Toronto in the 74th minute, marking his first appearance since being diagnosed with a pelvic stress fracture back in April.
Despite Mihailovic’s introduction, Toronto could not build any attacking momentum, with Gavran instead forced into another stop when he denied Daniel Rios from outside the box three minutes later.
The match turned physical at times between the two Eastern Conference rivals, with TFC midfielder Richie Laryea, fresh from representing Canada at the World Cup, receiving attention from officials following a 14th-minute incident involving Montreal’s Victor Loturi.
Montreal captain Samuel Piette reached a notable personal milestone during the match, playing his 251st appearance across all competitions to draw level with Patrick Leduc for fourth place in club history.
Toronto snapped a three-match losing streak with the draw but remains winless in their last nine games overall, carrying a dismal 0-4-5 run over that stretch.
The last time Toronto claimed three points was on April 4 at home against Colorado, a drought that has left them firmly outside the playoff picture heading into the second half of the season.
Montreal had endured a historically difficult start to their campaign under since-fired head coach Marco Donadel, but interim replacement Philippe Eullaffroy has steadied the ship considerably.
Eullaffroy’s squad is also heading into the Canadian Championship semifinals after back-to-back 2-1 victories over Vancouver FC last week, giving the club momentum beyond league competition.
Before kick-off, Toronto announced the signing of 18-year-old homegrown defender Richard Chukwu to a contract running through the 2029-30 season.
Both clubs return to action on Wednesday, with Montreal visiting Nashville SC and Toronto travelling to face the New England Revolution.
