MONTREAL, QC – CF Montreal was looking to bounce back after another tough loss on Wednesday night to New England. They hosted Atlanta United FC at Saputo Stadium in Montreal in a game with huge playoff implications. One point separated four teams with Montreal currently one point out of a playoff spot.
CF Montreal beats Atlanta in crucial MLS win
A tight and competitive first half:
The first 10 minutes of the game were tight with both teams getting good chances but no shots on target as both teams lacked to finish plays. We had some drama in the 15-minute as Romell Quioto was alone on Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan and was taken down in the box but the ref didn’t call a penalty and a packed crowd made him know they weren’t pleased with the noncall.
Eight minutes later off a set play Montreal thought they had one but Victor Wanyama’s header went wide of the net and in the 24-minute both teams didn’t have a shot on target. Atlanta got the first shot on target in the 38-minute but James Pantemis made an incredible save.
Quioto responded on the ensuing play but Guzan was there to make the save and keep the game scoreless with less than 10 minutes in the first half. Pantemis made another big save in the last minute of the first half and both teams went into the first half with no goals scored.
The offence comes alive in the second half
50' GOLAZO DE @QuiotoSamir.
We're back level.#MTLvATL | 1-1 | #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/IWBj3uX9uw
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) October 3, 2021
For the second consecutive game, Montreal conceded the first goal of the game. This was when Jake Mulraney found himself alone on Pantemis and was finally able to beat the Kirland native to make it 1-0 for the visitors. Montreal responded on the ensuing play when Quioto got a great pass and beat Guzan top shelf to make it 1-1.
55' Calme et précis de @QuiotoSamir.
How to slot it away. We have the lead at home 👊#MTLvATL | 2-1 | #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/K4ZJJCqkUn
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) October 3, 2021
In the 53-minute, Joaquín Torres got a great feed and found himself alone on Guzan and was taken down in the box and the ref pointed to the spot and Quioto stepped up to the sport and beat Guzan to give Montreal the 2-1 lead. Wilfried Nancy made his first change in the 65-minute taking Quioto out for Ibrahim Sunusi.
In the 70-minute, Torres had a great chance to score his second goal of the game when he had another breakaway on Guzan but the Atlanta keeper manage to make the save and deny him the opportunity. Nancy made his second change of the game in the 88-minute subbing in Zorhan Bassong for Zachary Brault-Guillard.
Five minutes of extra time was added on and things once again got heated between these two clubs as Mathieu Choinière was shown a yellow card for getting involved in a scrum and a couple of minutes later the game was over.
The win now puts Montreal in fifth place and only two points out of third place as they are tied with DC United for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. It was also a good bounce-back win after losing 4-1 against the New England Revolution.
Coaches reaction as CF Montreal beats Atlanta 2-1:
After the game in his post-match press conference, Nancy was asked how crucial the win was in such a tight playoff race.
” It’s a big win and the objective and I am happy and this game wraps up seven games in 21 days and they found a way to win this game and they did it well, they defended well and they did a lot more but again and it’s good because they are going to rest and when they come back they will be ready for the final stretch”.
Next game:
Victoire Montréal 📈
+3 at home and back in playoff position. @BudweiserCanada | #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/8Y5n8VlfPB
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) October 3, 2021
The international break begins this week and the team will have two weeks off minus the players who will be representing their country for international world cup qualifiers and Montreal will next be in action on October 16 as they will host the Philadelphia Union.
