Takaoka secures 14th clean sheet and the Whitecaps secure 2nd place in Supporters’ Shield standings

MONTREAL (AP) — Cheikh Sabaly and Mihail Gherasimencov each scored in the second half, Yohei Takaoka secured his 14th clean sheet of the season, and the Vancouver Whitecaps secured second place in the Supporters’ Shield standings with a 2-0 victory over Montreal on Saturday.

Vancouver (19-8-7) set single-season club records with 64 points and 19 wins en route to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference ahead of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Montreal (6-20-8) was shut out for the 14th time this season.

Sabaly opened the scoring in the 50th minute. Ryan Gauld intercepted a pass in the middle of the field and found Sabaly for a right-footed shot that was saved by goalkeeper Samsy Keita. Sabaly gathered the rebound and sent a left-footed shot over Keita for his third goal of the season.

Mihail Gherasimencov scored from a difficult angle in the 83rd for his first MLS goal.

Vancouver: Awaits playoff opponent.

Montreal: Capped its worst season in club history.

See AP’s full MLS coverage here

Vancouver Whitecaps' Rui Modesto (70) falls while vying for possession with CF Montreal's Luca Petrasso (13) during the second half of a MLS soccer game in Montreal, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Muller celebrates with teammate Mihail Gherasimencov (29) following Vancouver Whitecaps' win over CF Montreal in a MLS soccer game in Montreal, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Mihail Gherasimencov (29) scores on CF Montreal goalkeeper Samsy Keita (41) during the second half of a MLS soccer game in Montreal, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Mihail Gherasimencov (29) celebrates his goal against CF Montreal with teammate Thomas Muller (13) during the second half of a MLS soccer game in Montreal, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

MIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi was held scoreless as Inter Miami blew a three-goal halftime lead and drew 3-3 with Charlotte FC on Saturday in its Major League Soccer regular-season finale.

Messi finished the season with 26 goals and is poised to become the first player in MLS history to win back-to-back Golden Boots.

Ian Fray put Miami ahead in the 14th minute following a corner kick. Luis Suárez tapped one in from close range in the 33rd after Germán Berterame headed Messi’s corner toward the goal. Rodrigo De Paul made it 3-0 in the 42nd with a shot from outside the penalty area.

Then came Charlotte’s surge.

Liel Abada scored in the 50th and 55th minutes, and Rodolfo Aloko tied it in the 90th when he put away the rebound after Tyger Smalls hit the post.

The last time Miami gave up a 3-0 lead at Nu Stadium was on May 2, when Orlando City rallied to win 4-3.

Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference with 60 points after third-place New England lost 1-0 at Orlando. Nashville beat Cincinnati 2-0 to finish with 77 points, breaking Miami’s MLS single-season record of 74 set in 2024.

Miami will open its best-of-three first-round playoff series at home as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, while Charlotte is the 5 seed. The playoffs begin Nov. 20.

See AP’s full MLS coverage here

Charlotte forward Rodolfo Aloko (37) scores a goal against Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair (97) to tie the game during the second half of an MLS game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in Miami, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Charlotte forward Rodolfo Aloko (37), left, does a flip after scoring a goal to tie the game against Inter Miami during the second half of an MLS game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in Miami, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Inter Miami forward Leo Messi (10) gestures after missing a shot on goal during the first half of an MLS game against Charlotte Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in Miami, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Inter Miami forward Leo Messi (10) aims a shot on goal as Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina (1) and defender Nathan Byrne (14) defend during the second half of an MLS game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in Miami, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)