Paxten Aaronson, Nico Hansen guide Rapids to 1-0 victory over Montreal

Colorado Rapids defender Loïc Williams, right, pursues the ball with CF Montréal midfielder Wikelman Carmona in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Paxten Aaronson scored on a penalty kick late in the first half, and Nico Hansen made it stand up for the Colorado Rapids in a 1-0 victory over CF Montreal on Saturday night.

Aaronson’s PK goal came in the 43rd minute and was awarded after Donavan Phillip was fouled by Montreal defender Viktor Radojević.

It was Aaronson’s career-high sixth goal of the season.

• READ MORE: MLS commissioner Don Garber optimistic about CF Montreal’s future

Hansen finished with five saves for Colorado (11-12-2).

The 25-year-old has six clean sheets in 14 starts this season while surrendering only 14 goals.

He had three shutouts in 10 starts as a rookie last season with 14 goals allowed.

• READ MORE: At 37, Alexis Sanchez believes he still has plenty to give CF Montréal

Sébastian Breza saved five shots for Montreal (5-14-6) in his ninth start of the season.

Colorado started the day in seventh place in the Western Conference before improving to 9-3-0 at home.

Montreal, last in the Eastern Conference, is 0-4-2 in its last six matches.

Up next

Montreal: Hosts Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Colorado: Hosts Seattle Sounders on Saturday.