No. 9 seed Atlanta United defeated No. 8 CF Montréal in a penalty kick shootout in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Wild Card game at Stade Saputo Tuesday night. In a thrilling opening to the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, Atlanta United scored two goals in the first half and CF Montréal answered with two of their own in the second half. With the match tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, there was no extra time and the winner was decided in a penalty kick shootout.
Atlanta United made all five of their PKs and goalkeeper Brad Guzan saved one to seal the win for the 5-Stripes.
Atlanta will now advance to face No. 1 seed and Supporters' Shield winners Inter Miami CF in the Round One Best-of-3 Series. Game 1 will be Friday, Oct. 25 at Miami. Game 2 will be played Saturday, Nov. 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. If necessary, Game 3 will be played Saturday, Nov. 9 in Miami.
The result eliminates CF Montréal from the MLS Cup Playoffs.
"They're persistent, and they keep showing up," interim head coach Rob Valentino said in his post-match press conference. "I don't have a perfect answer, but I'm just glad it's happening now."
Penalty Shootout Result
- CF Montréal - Josef Martínez (Goal), Tom Pearce (Saved), Nathan-Dylan Saliba (Goal), Gabriele Corbo (Goal), Jules-Anthony Vilsaint (Goal)
- Atlanta United - Dax McCarty (Goal), Daniel Ríos (Goal), Alexey Miranchuk (Goal), Derrick Williams (Goal), Saba Lobjanidze (Goal)
First Half: Atlanta United gets header goals from Brooks Lennon, Stian Gregersen
The best spell of possession for Atlanta United in the first half led to the match's opening goal. After Montréal controlled most of the possession in the opening 25 minutes, which saw the 5-Stripes dropping back defensively and crowding the lower block, Atlanta then sustained possession for two minutes, moving the ball from one side to the next with a buildup of 45 passes. Eventually, the ball found the feet of Pedro Amador on the left flank. The fullback has been effective when crossing into the box from that spot since he joined the club this summer, and he hit his mark again. Striker Jamal Thiaré just missed the cross on his aerial attempt, but Brooks Lennon was at the back post to clean it up. Lennon headed the cross into the corner of the net for the opening goal of the match in the 29th minute.
It was Lennon's first goal of the season and gave Atlanta United an early 1-0 lead in the elimination match. Amador recorded his third assist in his last four MLS matches.
Just minutes later, Lennon very nearly made it a brace when Saba Lobjanidze drove a cross to Lennon streaking into the box. Lennon made contact with the cross, but his shot from close range sailed over the goal.
At Stade Saputo, Lennon started the night further up the pitch while Ronald Hernández made the starting XI at right fullback for interim head coach Rob Valentino, an adjustment made in the Orlando match on Decision Day. The change allowed both to play to certain strengths -- Lennon with his runs in the attack, Hernández with his defending.
Lennon would drop back to fullback later in the second half. Tyler Wolff subbed on for Amador and filled in at winger.
Atlanta's second goal arrived on a set piece following a foul drawn by Atlanta United Homegrown Jay Fortune on the dribble.
Alexey Miranchuk delivered the free kick, curling it toward the back post. Center back Stian Gregersen, all 6-foot-3 of him, was able to wiggle free from his defender and rise to score on a header. The goal doubled Atlanta United's lead on the road in the 44th minute.
"It was a fantastic free kick from Alexey," Gregersen said. "For me, it was just take this run and head the ball into the goal."
It was the third headed goal of 2024 for the center back from Norway. He previously recorded a header brace in the club's 2-1 home win over defending MLS champion Columbus Crew back in July during the regular season.
Second Half: CF Montréal answers, including a penalty kick from Josef Martínez
Atlanta United has not been in the position of protecting a lead many times this season and on Tuesday they found themselves in that position for the second road match in a row. Just as they did on Decision Day, Atlanta United went into the second 45 minutes protecting a lead. This time, a two-goal lead.
And like Decision Day when they had a two-goal lead, Atlanta United conceded to allow their opponent back to pull back a goal. Of course, who else was it for Montréal other than Josef Martínez. After Guzan mishandled a ball, the Montréal striker pounced and finished a left-footed shot near the goal line to make it 2-1 in the 63rd minute.
George Campbell very nearly evened the match for Montréal, coming within an inch of scoring against his former team, when he drove a low ball with his left foot. Guzan had to dive to get a hand on it and clear the ball away. Moments later, in the 76th minute, Montréal was awarded a direct free kick about 25 yards out. Tom Pearce delivered a wicked ball that bent over the wall, and Guzan came to the rescue again. The veteran goalkeeper did well with his dive to get both hands on it and bat it away to protect Atlanta's lead.
Guzan finished the night with five saves.
"He's a perfect captain for the team," Gregersen said. "He speaks a lot, gives good advice, he has a lot of experience, always has energy everyday, in training and in matches also."
Montréal found their chance to equalize when Atlanta United was called for a foul in the 87th minute. After initially called outside the box, VAR awarded a penalty kick to Montréal. Martínez took the kick and converted, equalizing the match 2-2 in the 88th minute.
Just like in the previous meeting between the two teams back on October 2, Martínez finished the night with a brace.
Even when they held a two-goal lead, Atlanta United seemed to know they could not sit back; they continued to attack. Saba had a few moments, including on the run after receiving a beautiful diagonal ball into space from Tyler Wolff, who subbed into the match. Daniel Ríos, who replaced Thiaré as a sub, had a moment in the 79th minute with a good look that just went wide of the frame for Atlanta.
"I'm happy that we created some chances, but in all honesty, we should've put the game away," Valentino said. "I'm happy we're moving on. I'll enjoy this and be grumpy later."
In eight minutes of added time, there was nervy play as both teams looked to find the game-winner. Regulation ended in a draw, and Atlanta United came out on top in the penalty kick shootout. The club wins their third straight match going back to the regular season, the second straight on the road, and their first win over CF Montréal in 2024.
"We've worked so hard this season," Gregersen said. "Every training, every game. We're starting to succeed. It's the best time, at the end of the season, to show that."
