Hugo Cuypers Leads Chicago Fire to 2-0 Victory Over CF Montreal
Hugo Cuypers scored for the 10th consecutive match, helping the Chicago Fire secure a 2-0 victory at CF Montreal on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, Cuypers increased his MLS-leading total to 13 goals, two ahead of Miami’s Lionel Messi and Dallas’ Petar Musa, who both play later this weekend.
Philip Zinckernagel contributed with his fifth goal of the season early in the match and assisted on Cuypers’ late goal as the Fire (7-4-2, 23 points) notched their second away win in four days. Goalkeeper Chris Brady recorded six saves to maintain Chicago’s sixth clean sheet of the season.
Montreal (4-8-1, 13 points) faced their first loss in five home matches under interim manager Philippe Eullaffroy.
Despite holding 56.8% possession and outshooting Chicago 15-13, the home team was shut out for the first time since a 3-0 defeat to New England on April 4.
Zinckernagel opened the scoring for Chicago in the 14th minute. Maren Haile-Selassie chased down a long ball on the left flank and delivered a left-footed cross toward the penalty spot. Montreal’s Brayan Vera attempted to clear but the ball deflected off teammate Jalen Neal, rolling to the penalty arc where Zinckernagel took a first-time finish into the bottom left corner.
Brady played a crucial role in keeping the Fire ahead, especially after halftime. He denied Dawid Bugaj’s promising effort from center penalty area in the 56th minute, and later made an impressive double save in the 65th minute, reacting swiftly to stop Noah Streit’s low, deflected shot through traffic.
Chicago doubled their lead two minutes later. Haile-Selassie seized a loose ball at the center circle and advanced it to Zinckernagel, who played it ahead for Cuypers just in time to remain onside. Cuypers then reached the ball on the right side of the penalty area and delivered a side-footed finish past goalkeeper Thomas Gillier (2 saves) and inside the far left post.
Brady continued to excel, denying Daniel Rios’ near-post header in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time to preserve the shutout.