Montreal, needing a win to boost its fading playoff chances, took the lead in the 23rd minute through Clark. A helter-skelter sequence in front of goal saw Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina come off his line to make an initial save, but Clark scored into an open net to make it 1-0.

BOTTOM LINE: CF Montreal aims to end a three-game losing streak when it hosts Charlotte FC. Montreal is 5-9-6 against Eastern Conference teams. Montreal is 1-5-1 when it scores only one goal. Charlotte is 8-6-5 against Eastern Conference opponents. Charlotte has a 3-0-2 record in games it scores two goals.

Major League Soccer win over Charlotte FC on Saturday night at Stade Saputo. Montreal’s form had suffered of late, with just one win in MLS since July, but Laurent Courtois’ squad showed a level of poise and control over the tempo of the game that had not been seen since the beginning of the season.

FC tried to combat with multiple foiled attempts at making the goal. Karol Swiderski and Liel Abada’s shots were missed. At 35 minutes into the match, FC’s Tim Ream scored from close range into the bottom corner with an assist from Westwood. Swiderski attempted to take a shot at the right side of the six-yard box, but it was blocked.