MONTREAL (AP) — Caden Clark had a goal and an assist in the first half, Josef Martínez scored his 11th goal of the season and Montreal beat New York City FC 2-0 on Saturday night to secure a playoff spot.
Montreal (11-13-10) locked up the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference with 43 points and will host No. 9 Atlanta in a wild card match for a chance to meet Inter Miami in round one. It's Montreal’s second postseason trip since 2016 and first under head coach Laurent Courtois.
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CF Montreal's Raheem Edwards, left, challenges New York City FC's Hannes Wolf during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
CF Montreal's Gabriele Corbo, left, defends against New York City FC's Alonso Martínez (16) during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
CF Montreal's George Campbell, left, clears the ball as New York City FC's Kevin O'Toole, right, moves in during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
CF Montreal's Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, left, challenges New York City FC's Kevin O'Toole during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
CF Montreal's Caden Clark (right) challenges New York City FC's Hannes Wolf (17) during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
CF Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois (40) stops New York City FC's Alonso Martinez during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Martínez was left wide open at the top of the box for a pass that he let a past him to reach Clark at the back post for a one-time finish in the 18th minute.
Then in first-half stoppage time, Clark had it poked away from behind but he raced down the sideline to track it down. He got inside position on a defender as he dribbled into the box for a rolling pass to Martínez in front of goal for a sliding finish.
NYCFC (14-12-8) will face Cincinnati in a best-of-three series.
AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer
CF Montreal's Raheem Edwards, left, challenges New York City FC's Hannes Wolf during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
CF Montreal's Gabriele Corbo, left, defends against New York City FC's Alonso Martínez (16) during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
CF Montreal's George Campbell, left, clears the ball as New York City FC's Kevin O'Toole, right, moves in during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
CF Montreal's Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, left, challenges New York City FC's Kevin O'Toole during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
CF Montreal's Caden Clark (right) challenges New York City FC's Hannes Wolf (17) during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
CF Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois (40) stops New York City FC's Alonso Martinez during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
ATLANTA (AP) — Riley Leonard bolstered No. 12 Notre Dame's playoff hopes by rushing for two touchdowns and the Fighting Irish defense was dominant after a slow start in a 31-13 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday.
Jeremiyah Love added a TD run and defensive back Adon Shuler scored on a 36-yard interception return for Notre Dame (6-1). The Fighting Irish held Georgia Tech (5-3) to 64 rushing yards.
Leonard ran for 51 yards as Notre Dame extended its winning streak to five games. Leonard completed 20 of 29 passes for 203 yards with an interception in the game played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. He recovered from a first-quarter interception that helped the Yellow Jackets take a 7-0 lead.
“It’s very easy to get greedy and want to make the explosive play, but throughout my career, I’ve learned that just taking what the defense gives me is what wins ballgames,” Leonard said. “... Settle down, trust your eyes, trust your coaching and you get the job done. And we did a pretty good job with that.”
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Leonard “came back with the right mindset” after giving up the interception to cornerback Warren Burrell midway through the first quarter.
“He’s confident. ... He’s a confident individual because of the way he prepares. And, you know, he did a great job after that interception leading the offense.”
With Haynes King held out with a shoulder injury, quarterback Zach Pyron was sharp early in his first start for Georgia Tech since his 2022 freshman season.
Pyron completed his first nine passes, including six completions on a touchdown drive. Jamal Haynes' 1-yard scoring run as time expired in the first quarter gave the Yellow Jackets the 7-0 lead. Notre Dame led 31-7 before Pyron's 7-yard touchdown pass to Chase Lane with 33 seconds remaining.
Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said Pyron's effort was “gutsy.”
“The guy is tough as nails,” Key said. “We’ve got to be able to step up around him and complement him and help him.”
Led by Leonard, the Fighting Irish owned the second quarter with nine plays of 10 or more yards. Leonard's first scoring run from the 1 capped a 14-play drive. He added another TD run from the 12, giving the senior 10 rushing scores this season.
Georgia Tech muffed a 39-yard field goal attempt with 11 seconds remaining in the half when David Shanahan dropped the snap. Late in the third quarter, Notre Dame's Bryce Young blocked a 35-yard attempt by Aidan Birr.
“Special teams for three weeks now have not been up to expectations,” Key said.
Leading 21-7, the Fighting Irish faked a punt and Love gained 27 yards to set up Zac Yoakam's 42-yard field goal, the first of his career. Yoakam filled in for Mitch Jeter, who missed the game with a hip injury.
Notre Dame: Defense played the lead role, even after giving up Pyron's 60-yard pass to Abdul Janneh to the Notre Dame 16 late in the third quarter. A third-down sack of Pyron by Rylie Mills set up Young's blocked field goal. Safety Xavier Watts added a fourth-quarter interception, his third of the season.
Georgia Tech: Pyron couldn't maintain the momentum from his strong first quarter, throwing two interceptions and one scoring pass. He completed 20 of 36 passes for 269 yards.
Notre Dame could move up in the Top 25 following the impressive road win over the Yellow Jackets, who were coming off two straight Atlantic Coast Conference wins over Duke and North Carolina.
Notre Dame: Plays in another NFL stadium next Saturday against No. 25 Navy at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Georgia Tech: Returns to its Atlantic Coast Conference schedule when it plays at Virginia Tech next Saturday.
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Georgia Tech running back Chad Alexander (27) runs against Notre Dame during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame wide receiver Beaux Collins (5) misses the catch against Georgia Tech defensive back Ahmari Harvey (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, left, and Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon walk off the field after an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Rylie Mills (99) celebrates a sack of Georgia Tech quarterback Zach Pyron during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Rylie Mills (99) hits Georgia Tech quarterback Zach Pyron (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia Tech wide receiver Bailey Stockton (87) is hit by Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser (24) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia Tech running back Jamal Haynes (11) runs against Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia Tech wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (2) runs against Notre Dame during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame cornerback Max Hurleman (37) is hit by against Georgia Tech on a punt return during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key ealks on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame wide receiver Beaux Collins (5) runs against Georgia Tech linebacker Jackson Hamilton (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia Tech running back Jamal Haynes, celebrates hios touchdown against Notre Dame during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price (24) runs against Georgia Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia Tech quarterback Zach Pyron (5) is hit by against Notre Dames during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame wide receiver Beaux Collins (5) runs against Georgia Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia Tech wide receiver Malik Rutherford (8) makes the catch against Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key speaks with an official during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Georgia Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia Tech quarterback Zach Pyron (5) runs against Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser (24) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates his touchdown against Georgia Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) runs out of the pocket against Georgia Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia Tech defensive back Warren Burrell (4) intercepts the ball off Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) runs against Georgia Tech defensive lineman Thomas Gore (59) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
