Caden Clark and Bryce Duke score 3 minutes apart as CF Montreal beats Charlotte 2-1

MONTREAL (AP) — Caden Clark and Bryce Duke scored three minutes apart in the first half as CF Montreal beat Charlotte 2-1 on Saturday.

Montreal (7-12-9) had struggled of late, with just one win in MLS since the month of July.

Clark scored for the first time as a Montreal player in the 23rd minute. After a triple-save from Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, the ball fell to Clark who volleyed it into the wide-open net.

Duke’s goal ended up being the winner. Raheem Edwards got behind the defense and cut the ball back to Duke for the finish.

Tim Ream found the back of the net for Charlotte (10-10-8) when he rose above everyone at the back post to score his first goal with his new club.

Both teams return on Sept. 18 away from home as Montreal looks to avenge a 5-0 rout against New England, while Charlotte visits Orlando City.

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

Charlotte forward Liel Abada (11) challenges Montreal's Raheem Edwards (44) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

Charlotte's Jere Uronen, left, and Montreal midfielder Bryce Duke (10) go up for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

Charlotte's Djibril Diani, left, moves in on Montreal's Caden Clark (23) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

Former Montreal player Ignacio Piatti salutes the crowd after having his name inducted onto the club's Wall of Fame during an MLS soccer match between Montreal and Charlotte in Montreal, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal's Caden Clark (23) scores against Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina (1) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal's Caden Clark (23) reacts after scoring against Charlotte during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal forward Josef Martínez (17) moves in on Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina (1) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal's Caden Clark (23) reacts after scoring against Charlotte during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

ROME (AP) — Salvatore “Totò” Schillaci, the Italy striker who was top scorer at the 1990 World Cup that his country hosted and epitomized a player exceeding expectations on soccer’s biggest stage, has died. He was 59.

Schillaci had been hospitalized in Palermo following treatment for colon cancer.

The Palermo Civico hospital said in a statement that Schillacci died on Wednesday morning after being admitted 11 days ago.

Schillaci scored six goals for Italy during the 1990 World Cup. He came on as a substitute during Italy’s opener against Austria, scored in a 1-0 victory, and went on to earn the Golden Boot awarded to the tournament’s top scorer.

Schillaci had never scored for Italy before the 1990 World Cup, having previously only played once for the national team. Overall, he made 16 appearances for Italy and scored seven goals — six of them at the World Cup.

Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina announced that a minute of silence would be held in memory of Schillaci before all games in the country for the rest of the week.

“The uncontrollable celebrations, in which his face was the symbol of shared joy, will remain forever part of Italian soccer (history),” Gravina said. “Totò was a great player, a symbol of tenacious desire and redemption. ... His soccer was full of passion. And that fearless spirit made everyone appreciate him and will make him immortal.”

Schillaci also won the Golden Ball award at the 1990 World Cup as the tournament's top player ahead of Lothar Matthaus and Diego Maradona.

“Thank you for the emotions you gave us, for making us dream, cheer, hug and wave our Tricolore,” Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni wrote on X.

Schillaci played for Messina, Juventus, Inter Milan and Japanese team Jubilo Iwata during his club career.

“Ciao Totò,” Juventus said on Instagram.

“You made an entire nation dream during the Magical Nights of Italia ’90,” Inter said on its social media channels.

West Germany won the 1990 World Cup, beating Argentina in the final, while Italy beat England for third place with a winning penalty kick from Schillaci.

Roberto Baggio, who scored Italy's opening goal in the third-place match, wrote on Instagram, “Ciao my dear friend.”

With Schillaci having been born and raised in Palermo, the city will hold a public viewing of Schillaci at its Renzo Barbera stadium ahead of the funeral.

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

Juventus' Salvatore "Totò" Schillaci, center, attends a team training session with teammates Giancarlo Marocchi, left, and Oleksandr Zavarov, in Turin, Italy, between 1989 and 1990. (LaPresse via AP)

Italy Salvatore "Totò" Schillaci, right, controls the ball during a World Cup soccer match between Italy and Austria, in Rome, on June 9, 1990. (LaPresse via AP)

Italy's Salvatore "Totò" Schillaci, right, in action during a World Cup soccer match between Italy and the United States, in Rome, on June 14, 1990. (LaPresse via AP)

Italy's Salvatore "Totò Schillaci, right, celebrates with teammate Roberto Baggio after scoring a goal during the World Cup soccer match between Italy and Uruguay, in Rome, on June 25, 1990. (LaPresse via AP)

FILE - Italian forward Salvatore "Totò" Schillaci, center, celebrates after scoring the first goal for Italy in the World Cup game against Czechoslovakia, in Rome, Italy, June 19, 1990. (AP Photo/Martin Cleaver, file)

FILE- Former Italian striker Salvatore "Totò" Schillaci is overcome by emotion as he arrives at the reality show "L'Isola dei Famosi" in Milan, Italy, Friday, Nov. 19, 2004. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, file)

FILE - Italy's Salvatore "Totò" Schillaci, left, and Argentina's Juan Simon chase the ball during the Soccer World Cup semi-final, in Naples, Italy, July 3, 1990. (AP Photo, file)