MONTREAL, QC – CF Montreal beat Atlanta United on Saturday afternoon at Saputo Stadium after Joaquin Torres scored the game-winner late in the game and now the team has extended its unbeaten streak to six games.
Joaquin Torres scores a late goal and extends CF Montreal’s unbeaten run
On égale un record du Club avec un 6e match consécutif sans défaite en @mls 👊
Stats after 90. #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/Qgw5HEIiNo
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) April 30, 2022
A quick start for Montreal
10'
GUY GUY GUY#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/SoJLI5s9pL
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) April 30, 2022
CF Montreal earned the first free-kick of the game in the fourth minute and Kamal Miller with a solid header put the ball into the back of the net for the early 1-0 lead with a great cross from Djordje Mihailovic. In the ninth minute, the visitors earned their first free-kick of the game but Sebastian Breza came up with a huge diving save.
Montreal almost doubled their lead in the 20-minute as off a corner Alistair Johnston was able to get a shot on target but it was saved by Bobby Shuttleworth the Atlanta keeper who was replacing the injured Brad Guzan. Atlanta had another dangerous chance in the 32-minute but again off a free-kick, Breza made an outstanding save.
By the 44-minute, the visitors were in clear control of the game and had 71 percent of the possession as they looked to equalize the game after giving up the early goal. The first half finished with Montreal up by one but on their heels facing a dangerous team.
Joaquin Torres wins it for Montreal
What a finish from Marcelino Moreno 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KD5ggzudqo
— x – Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) April 30, 2022
Head coach Wilfried Nancy made his first change at the beginning of the second half taking out Ahmed Hamdi for Joaquin Torres. The visitors tied the game in the 51-minute as Marcelino Moreno’s shot from the top of the box managed to beat Breza with a quick shot.
Atlanta went looking for the go-ahead goal and Breza once again was called into action in the 60-minute with a shot from distance but was able to make another save. Nancy made his second change of the game in the 68-minute bringing in Samuel Piette for Ismael Kone.
PARFAIT @JooaquinTorres + QUEL JEU DE @KMillz_00 👌#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/gpuCVX6p03
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) April 30, 2022
Montreal made a double change in the 74th minute bringing on Kei Kamara and Zachary Brault Guillard for Romell Quioto and Alistair Johnston. Torres scored in the 82nd minute to take back the lead for Montreal as Miller was able to deke out two Atlanta defenders and gave a great cross which Torres was able to head into the net for the late 2-1 lead.
Nancy made another change right after the goal bringing in Zorhan Bassong for Lassi Lappalainan, Atlanta pushed hard afterwards but Breza again made a key save to keep his team lead alive. The final whistle blew after three minutes of added time and CF Montreal had extended its unbeaten streak to six games.
Coach reaction
Head coach Nancy noted the key differences between the game today and the game played in Atlanta on March 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“We didn’t have the ball today as opposed to the game in Atlanta where we did have the ball and we were able to play our game style to create more dangerous opportunities against this team and today it wasn’t as clean especially in the first half with all the pressure and we are usually pretty good at that but today was not the day to do it and I am happy with my team because I know they can defend and today they also find a way to score”.
Player reaction
Kamal Miller, who was the player of the game, wasn’t too concerned with the fact his team was dominated in possession and notes Atlanta is one of those teams that like to possess the ball.
” Atlanta is just like us a team that likes to have possesion whether they are at home or on the road they like to be on top of the game and we knew they would have a lot of the ball and couldn’t get our rhythm in the first half and they were pressing hard and to beat this team you have to defend really well for 90 minutes and I think we did that”.
CF Montreal will be back in action next week looking to make it seven in a row as they will host Orlando City SC at Saputo Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Montreal has now extended its MLS season unbeaten run to six games, which included an impressive draw on the road against the Philadelphia Union.
