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.

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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)

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Wilfried Nancy's job as Celtic manager came under even more intense scrutiny Saturday after a 3-1 home loss to fierce Glasgow rival Rangers in the Old Firm derby, the biggest match in Scottish soccer.

It was a sixth loss in eight games under Nancy since his arrival at Celtic on Dec. 3 and the Frenchman cut a lonely figure after the post-match handshakes as he walked down the tunnel to a backdrop of jeers that greeted the fulltime whistle.

The result left Celtic on the same points as Rangers — though ahead on goal difference — and three behind surprise leader Hearts in a turbulent campaign in the Scottish Premiership.

Nancy left Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer for Celtic but lost his first four matches in charge — including a stunning defeat in the Scottish League Cup final. There were then back-to-back wins, only for Celtic to lose at Motherwell on Tuesday and then against its biggest foe to home.

“For me, nothing changes," Nancy said after the game against Rangers. "My focus is to help my players to be better, help my team start to be better, and to find a way to turn things around. We are really close to doing good things but (when) we concede goals sometimes it’s difficult.”

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Rangers scored three goals in a 21-minute span from the 50th — leading to audible discontent among Celtic fans throughout the second half.

The BBC reported that Celtic supporters gathered outside their stadium after the game in protest at the club's board. Last month, chairman Peter Lawwell resigned and chief executive Michael Nicholson claimed three of his “colleagues” on the board were “assaulted” after the League Cup final, without disclosing further details.

Nancy cited “details at certain moments” as the reason for Celtic's problems.

“I see many, many good things — that’s why the frustration is there because we deserve better," he said. "We have to stay together, and everything is going to move forward.”

Celtic has been Scottish champion for 13 of the last 14 years.

Under Nancy, Celtic has conceded two or more goals in seven of his eight games in charge.

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

Rangers players celebrate after the Scottish Premiership soccer match between Celtic and Rangers in Glasgow, Scotland, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)

Rangers' Youssef Chermiti scores their side's second goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership soccer match between Celtic and Rangers in Glasgow, Scotland, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)

Rangers' Youssef Chermiti celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership soccer match between Celtic and Rangers in Glasgow, Scotland, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)