Crew ride Hernández hat trick to 4-2 victory over Montreal

Cucho Hernández scored twice in the first half and finished off a hat trick with a penalty-kick goal in the second to spark the Columbus Crew to a 4-2 victory over CF Montreal on Saturday night.

Columbus (13-8-6) took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute on an own-goal by Montreal defender Gabriele Corbo.

Hernández used an assist from Diego Rossi eight minutes later to give Columbus a two-goal lead. Hernández found the net for an eighth time this season when he took a pass from Yaw Yeboah in the 43rd minute, putting the Crew up 3-0 at halftime.

Kwadwo Opoku scored in the 52nd minute to get Montreal (11-14-2) within 3-1. Jules-Anthony Vilsaint assisted on Opoku’s third goal this season.

Hernández scored for a third time after drawing a foul in the 64th minute on Montreal defender George Campbell.

Vilsaint scored his first career goal to cut Montreal’s deficit to two in the 68th minute. Matko Miljevic notched his second career assist on the score. Vilsaint, 20, scored in his fourth career start and ninth appearance.

Patrick Schulte had four saves for Columbus. Jonathan Sirois turned away one shot for Montreal.

Columbus coach Wilfried Nancy beat his former team on his first attempt. The Crew are 3-7-2 all-time at Montreal in all competitions. The club has gone 2-5-2 in its last nine road matches in all competitions.

Montreal saw a two-match win streak at home end, falling to 8-3-0 in its last 11 home contests. Montreal conceded a total of two goals in its previous 10 matches at home. For the 25th time in Montreal’s 27 matches this season, the team that scored first won.

Columbus returns to action on Sept. 16 when it travels to play Orlando City. Montreal will host the Chicago Fire on Sept. 16.