Three-goal second-half spurt leads Nashville to 3-0 victory over Montreal

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CF Montréal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois, top, makes a save in front of CF Montréal forward Prince Osei Owusu (9) and Nashville SC midfielder Alex Muyl (19) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) and CF Montréal defender George Campbell (24) vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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CF Montréal midfielder Bryce Duke, left, and Nashville SC midfielder Jonathan Pérez (24) vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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CF Montréal midfielder Victor Loturi (22) leaps over Nashville SC defender Jack Maher (5) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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CF Montréal forward Prince Osei Owusu (9) reacts as Nashville SC defender Walker Zimmerman, left, defends him during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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CF Montréal midfielder Nathan-Dylan Saliba, left, Nashville SC midfielder Alex Muyl (19) and defender George Campbell, right, vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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CF Montréal defender Luca Petrasso, left, and Nashville SC defender Walker Zimmerman, right, compete for a header during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Nashville SC midfielder Alex Muyl (19) celebrates his goal with defender Daniel Lovitz, leaping, and forward Sam Surridge (9) during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Nashville SC defender Walker Zimmerman (25), with midfielders Gastón Brugman, center, and Alex Muyl (19), celebrates a goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against CF Montréal, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Nashville SC midfielder Jonathan Pérez, left, kneels as he and midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) celebrate after Perez’s goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against CF Montréal, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Nashville SC midfielder Jonathan Pérez (24) watches his shot go in against CF Montréal during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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CF Montréal midfielder Samuel Piette (6) kicks the ball as Nashville SC midfielder Gastón Brugman (7) defends during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Nashville SC midfielder Alex Muyl reacts after scoring against CF Montréal against during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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CF Montréal defender Luca Petrasso, right, dribbles as Nashville SC midfielder Jonathan Pérez (24) defends during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Nashville SC goalkeeper Joe Willis makes a save against CF Montréal during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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CF Montréal midfielder Caden Clark (23) heads the ball as Nashville SC midfielder Gastón Brugman, right, defends during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Alex Muhl, Josh Bauer and Jonathan Pérez all scored during an 11-minute stretch of the second half to spark Nashville SC to a 3-0 victory over CF Montreal at GEODIS Park on Saturday night.

Muhl opened the scoring for Nashville (3-1-1) in the 56th minute when he took a pass from Sam Surridge and scored for the first time this season and the 23rd time in his career. It was the first assist for Surridge this season and his third in 42 career appearances.

Josh Bauer stretched the lead to 2-0 six minutes later with his first career goal in his 39th appearance. Fellow defender Walker Zimmerman collected his second assist of the campaign and his 11th in 271 career appearances.

Pérez capped the scoring in the 67th minute with an assist from Hany Mukhtar. It was the first career goal for Pérez in five starts and 25 appearances. Mukhtar’s helper was his second this season and his 50th in 150 career appearances.

Joe Willis finished with three saves for Nashville. It was his third clean sheet in five starts this season. Willis has notched 52 of his 70 career shutouts with Nashville.

Not PARSE.LY: CF Montreal

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Columbus Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe (19) and midfielder Aziel Jackson (13) celebrate after Russell-Rowe scores a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against CF Montréal, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

Jackson and Russell-Rowe each score a goal as Crew beats Montreal 2-1

Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady (1) passes the ball past CF Montréal forward Prince Osei Owusu (9) during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Sealy’s goal ends CF Montreal’s scoring drought to force 1-1 tie ending Chicago Fire’s win streak

Jonathan Sirois saved four shots in goal for Montreal (0-4-1). Sirois had a career-high seven saves in a scoreless draw with D.C. United last week for the 20th clean sheet of his career. Sirois had three saves and Willis one in a scoreless first half.

Nashville improves to 4-0-2 all time at home against Montreal. Surridge had a hat trick in a victory the last time Montreal came to town.

Montreal is five legs through a seven-match road trip to begin the season.

Nashville will host FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Montreal travels to play the Chicago Fire on Saturday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer