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

1 of 9 |

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)

2 of 9 |

Columbus Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe (19) celebrates after scoring 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)

3 of 9 |

4 of 9 |

Columbus Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe (19) and CF Montréal defender Luca Petrasso (13) fight for a loose ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

5 of 9 |

CF Montréal defender Joel Waterman (16) reacts after a penalty call during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Columbus Crew, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

6 of 9 |

Columbus Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe (19) heads a ball as CF Montréal defender Joel Waterman (16) tries to defend during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

7 of 9 |

CF Montréal midfielder Caden Clark (23) dribbles the ball as Columbus Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe (19) tries to defend during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

8 of 9 |

Columbus Crew fans cheer prior to a MLS soccer match against CF Montréal, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

9 of 9 |

Columbus Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring 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)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Aziel “AZ” Jackson scored a goal in the 11th minute, Jacen Russell-Rowe added a goal and an assist and the Columbus Crew beat CF Montreal 2-1 on Saturday night.

AZ, on the counter-attack, ran onto a long arcing ball played ahead by Russell-Rowe and skipped a shot between defender Joel Waterman and goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois — who had charged off his line — that ricocheted off the back post into the net.

Russell-Rowe blasted a rising first-touch shot, off a through ball from Steven Moreira, from the edge of the penalty area in the 26th minute to give Columbus (4-0-3) a 2-0 lead.

Prince Owusu scored in the 52nd minute for Montreal (0-5-2). Caden Clark banged a straight-away shot off the left post, but Owusu slipped behind the defense for the rebound and flicked a side-netter inside the right post to cut the deficit to 2-1. The offside flag initially went up but the goal counted after video review.

Victor Loturi appeared to have scored the tying goal in the 82nd minute but was deemed offside after video review and the Crew maintained their lead.

Sirois finished with three saves.

Not PARSE.LY: Jonathan Sirois

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)

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

CF Montréal forward Prince Owusu, right, kicks the ball against D.C. United defender Kye Rowles, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Montreal’s Jonathan Sirois, DC United’s Kim Joon Hong duel to scoreless draw

Vancouver Whitecaps' Tate Johnson (28) scores on an open net as CF Montreal's Kwadwo Opoku (7) and Aleksandr Guboglo (39) watch during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Mathias Laborda, Tate Johnson help Whitecaps beat Montreal 2-0

Interim coach Marco Donadel, who took over after Laurent Courtois was fired on March 24 following Montreal’s 0-4-1 start, is still in search of his first win. The club played the Chicago Fire to a 1-1 tie in his debut.

The Crew had 55% possession and outshot Montreal 11-5 (5-1 on target).

After seven consecutive road games to open the season, Montreal plays its home opener against Charlotte FC next Saturday.

___

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