Key keywords: MLS 2024 regular season resumption, Luka Gavran, Thomas Gillier, Toronto FC, CF Montreal, Canadian Classique, scoreless MLS draw, MLS Eastern Conference standings Major League Soccer’s return from the international break delivered a tense, high-stakes Canadian Classique on Saturday, as Toronto FC and CF Montreal played out a tightly contested 0-0 draw anchored by elite showings from opposing goalkeepers Luka Gavran and Thomas Gillier. Played in front of a sold-out crowd of 27,892 at Toronto’s BMO Field, the matchup marked the first meeting of the two Canadian rivals in the 2024 MLS campaign, with both sides entering the fixture looking to climb up the Eastern Conference table. Toronto’s 23-year-old shot-stopper Luka Gavran, who has cemented his spot as the club’s first-choice keeper after a string of strong performances earlier this season, put in a career-best shift to deny Montreal’s dangerous front line time and time again. He recorded seven saves on the night, including a spectacular one-handed stop to deny Montreal forward Sunusi Ibrahim’s 17th-minute one-on-one breakaway, and a diving parry to push away a 25-yard strike from midfielder Mathieu Choinière in first-half stoppage time. For Montreal, 26-year-old French goalkeeper Thomas Gillier was equally impressive, notching five critical saves to keep Toronto’s attack at bay. His biggest stops came in the second half, first denying a close-range header from Toronto captain Jonathan Osorio in the 63rd minute, before blocking a point-blank shot from winger Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty in the 78th minute that looked certain to give the home side the lead. Both sides pushed for a winner in stoppage time, with Montreal forcing a goalmouth scramble that was eventually cleared by Toronto’s back line, and Toronto winning a late corner that was punched clear by Gillier before any attacker could get a touch on the ball. Following the draw, Toronto sits 11th in the Eastern Conference with 12 points from 11 matches, while Montreal moves up one spot to 9th with 14 points from 12 games. Post-match, Toronto head coach John Herdman highlighted Gavran’s performance as the difference-maker for his side. “Luka was incredible today, he made the saves we needed him to make when we were under pressure, and he kept us in the game,” Herdman told reporters. “We didn’t take our chances in the final third today, but coming away with a point against a rival like Montreal, especially off the back of the international break, is a result we can build on.” Montreal head coach Hernán Losada also praised his side’s defensive resilience, singling out Gillier for his consistency. “Thomas was outstanding, he stepped up every time we needed him to, and he showed why he’s one of the best keepers in the Eastern Conference right now,” Losada said. “We had enough clear chances to win the game today, we just couldn’t finish, but I’m proud of the fight the boys showed against a tough opponent on their home turf.”