Phil Neville & Inter Miami see off a challenge from CF Montreal, taking a 2-0 win on MLS Opening Day

Inter Miami got a win at home on the first day of the 2023 MLS season, downing Eastern Conference rivals CF Montreal by a 2-0 scoreline.

Ukrainian center Back Sergey Krivtsov scored in the 41′ with a close range header and after a flurry of blocked chances and shots off the woodwork, Shanyder Borgelin extended the lead in the 76′

Saturday marked the debut for new Miami signing Josef Martinez, who completed a high-profile move to Inter in the summer.

Drake Callender made six saves for the shutout as Inter Miami dominated in the season opener at DRV Pink Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

It’s the first time in Inter Miami’s four-year history that they began a season with a victory.

Montreal endured a trying start to the season after finishing in second place in the Eastern Conference in 2022 in a benchmark campaign.

Callender, who started 24 matches for Miami last season, recorded the fifth clean sheet of his career.

Kryvtsov, a 32-year-old signed from the Ukraine, scored the game’s opening goal in the 41st minute off a corner kick. 

Kryvtsov waited at the far post for a ball that was deflected across the goal mouth by Gregore and directed the ball into the net with his left hip. 

The play was started in the near corner by Jean Mota.

Montreal nearly tied the game two minutes later when Romell Quioto’s header from inside the six-yard box was batted away by Callender.

Borgelin, who entered the game in the 68th minute, added to the Miami lead in the 76th minute with a right-footed shot from the center of the box. 

Miami keeper Drake Callender grabbed six saves in the shutout victory on Saturday night

It’s the first time in Inter Miami’s four season history that they began their campaign with a win

The play was started by a shot that was ripped off the right post by Ariel Lassiter, with the rebound bouncing to Borgelin, who was stopped by a save on the line by defender Samuel Piette.

But the ball found its way back to Borgelin and he made the most of his second chance by finding the bottom right corner of the goal.

Miami had 18 shots in the contest and earned advantages in shots on goal (7-6), blocked shots (5-4) and crosses.

Montreal had the ball 55.7 percent to Miami’s 44.3 percent and led in passes (440-356), passing accuracy (82.2 percent to 78.7 percent), duels won (60-57) and clearances (17-10).