Andres Romero, Jack McInerney score as Montreal Impact blank Revolution 2-0

MONTREAL – Andres Romero scored at the three-minute mark to set the tone for the Montreal Impact in a 2-0 victory over the red-hot New England Revolution on Saturday.

Jack McInerney added his third goal of the season for the Impact (2-6-4) in the 31st minute.

The loss halted New England’s five-game winning streak, their longest since 2005. The Revolution (7-4-2), still first in the MLS Eastern Conference despite Saturday’s scoreline, was unbeaten in its last seven contests.

The team had outscored its opponents 16-5 since last losing on Apr. 5.

But the last-place Impact, coming into this one with just seven points from 11 games, cooled off MLS’ hottest team with a two-striker formation, stingy defending, countless long balls, and good finishing in front of goal.

The Impact outshot its opponents 8-3 despite seeing less of the ball, and limited rookie forward Patrick Mullins to just one shot on target. Mullins entered the game with a goal in four consecutive contests, an MLS record for a rookie.

With fans still trickling in to their seats after the opening whistle, Romero scored the Impact’s quickest goal of the season to give Montreal an early lead.

Romero took a long through ball from striker Marco Di Vaio and moved in all alone on goalie Bobby Shuttleworth. With Revolution defenders requesting an offside call on the play, Romero held onto the ball several seconds before beating Shuttleworth between the legs for his career-high third goal of the year.

Frank Klopas’ men doubled their lead at the half-hour mark after an impressive individual effort by newcomer Issey Nakajima-Farran.

Making his Saputo Stadium debut after being acquired from Toronto FC two weeks ago, left-winger Nakajima-Farran cut into the middle of the pitch and fired a powerful strike at Shuttleworth. The New England keeper bobbled the ball before striker McInerney pounced on the rebound from just outside the six-yard box.

McInerney has now scored five times against New England in 10 career appearances, including three game winners.

The win keeps Montreal at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, but the team is now only six points out of a playoff spot.

Notes: The attendance at Saputo Stadium was 18,060. … The Revolution have now been shutout five times this season. … New England lost its first-ever game at Saputo Stadium (2-1-0). … The Impact and Revolution will face off twice more this season. … Montreal welcomes Toronto FC on Wednesday for the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship. The winner advances to the CONCACAF Champions League.