CF Montreal 0 - 2 Crew
Final
  for this game

Columbus downs Montreal in home opener

Mar 24, 2012 - 10:22 PM Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Milovan Mirosevic and Olman Vargas scored and the Columbus Crew beat the Montreal Impact, 2-0, on Saturday in their MLS home opener at Crew Stadium.

Mirosevic converted a penalty kick in the opening half and Vargas scored off a header in the second half, as the Crew took advantage of the early sending off of the Impact's Jeb Brovsky for their first win of the season.

Columbus (1-1-0) lost its season opener at the Colorado Rapids two weeks ago. Montreal (0-2-1) is winless three matches into its expansion season.

Brovsky was given a straight red card after just 19 minutes, and Columbus then earned a penalty in the 28th when Felipe Martins fouled Emilio Renteria inside the area.

Mirosevic easily converted from the spot for his first MLS goal, but Montreal nearly turned the match around before halftime.

Impact goalie Donovan Ricketts made one of many fine saves to deny a long shot from the Crew's Eddie Gaven, then Justin Mapp fired a shot off the crossbar in the dying minutes of the first half.

Columbus goalie Andy Gruenebaum was forced to push a Justin Braun attempt away from the near post early after halftime as the Crew survived another scare and followed with their second goal to gain control of the match.

Shaun Francis swung a cross in from the left that Vargas reached at the top of the 6-yard-box to head inside the left post for his first MLS goal.

Mirosevic and Vargas were two offseason additions for Columbus and both showed they can make an impact this season.

Columbus could have extended its lead on a few occasions, but Ricketts ended with seven saves to keep Montreal in the game until the final stages. Columbus held on as Gruenebaum made the last of his six saves in the closing minutes to preserve the shutout.

Columbus visits Toronto FC on March 31 for its next match. Montreal visits Red Bull New York on March 31 in its next game.






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