Revolution settle for scoreless draw in Montreal

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:22 am

Days after naming Bruce Arena their new coach, the visiting New England Revolution earned a point with a 0-0 draw Saturday against the Montreal Impact.

A five-time MLS Cup winner, Arena was named the Revs' coach and sporting director Tuesday, replacing Brad Friedel. Arena is not expected to assume coaching duties until early June, so interim coach Mike Lapper was on the touchline for a second consecutive match.

The Revolution (12 points), who ended four-match winless stretch with a 3-1 victory over San Jose last weekend, have conceded one goal in two games since parting ways with Friedel after yielding 18 in the previous four.

Montreal (21 points), meanwhile, settled for one point in a far different result from its 3-0 victory at New England on April 24. Despite keeping more of the possession, the Impact were outshot 4-2 by the Revolution.

Montreal's Max Urruti offered the first quality chance for either side in the 16th minute. However, his attempt from the right side of the box went wide left. In the 29th minute, Saphir Taider came close for the Impact, but his close-range shot was saved by New England keeper Matt Turner.

Urruti again nearly scored in the 34th, when he dinked the ball over a sliding Turner, only to have New England defender Jalil Anibaba kicked it away before it crossed the goal line.

DeJuan Jones gave the Revs their first strong chance in the 37th minute with some nifty work before drilling the ball into Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush. Carles Gil and Teal Bunbury combined for three solid scoring chances for New England early in the second half, but nothing came out of it for the visitors.

Even with the return of star Ignacio Piatti as a substitute in the 66th minute, Montreal was unable to provide much offense in the second half. Piatti, who picked up a yellow card late, had been out since March 16 with knee and muscle issues.