Atlanta United clinch playoff with 4-1 win over CF Montreal

In front of 42,569 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta United clinched a playoff spot after defeating CF Montreal 4-1 on Saturday at the Mercedes Benz Stadium

Atlanta had three different players recorded a goal and an assist in the same match for just the second time in club history.

Game recap

Atlanta Xande Silva put the Five stripes on the board with a right footed shot, marking Silva’s second goal for the club.

Within a few minutes Thiago Almada doubled the lead with the second goal of the night and 10th goal of the season. Almada became the third player in club history with a 10+ goal and 10+ assist season (10 goals, 16 assists). While Silva picked up his third assist since joining the club.

In the 40th minute Ahmed Hamdi cracked Montreal scoreless effort with a left foot shot to the bottom right corner of the net.

Coming off the half (in the 46th minute) Giorgos Giakoumakis restored Atlanta’s two-goal advantage. The goal was first ruled offside, but after video review the decision was reversed and Atlanta led Montreal 3-1.

Giakoumakis goal marked his 15th goal of the season, and continues his pursuit of the Golden Boot.

In his club debut Jamal Thiare was involved in a play that saw Waterman earn a red card in the 87th minute. Almada chipped a ball behind the defense for Thiare to run onto, but Waterman pulled him down as he was in on goal.

Less than two minutes later Colombian, Edwin Mosquera finished the match with a well-worked attack and sealed the win with a playoff spot for Atlanta.

This is the fifth time in club history that Atlanta has clinched a playoff spot.

“I think it was a very, very positive game in many phases of the game. Offensively, we played very good at the beginning of the game, and I think we should have scored a goal earlier. It didn’t come, but I liked the mentality of the team where we continued creating chances and disrupting CF Montreal’s defensive line. “said Head coach Gonzalo Pineda,

“The togetherness was there, I think what made us win tonight was our togetherness. That’s what you need and I think we’re going to keep working that way.” said Xande Silva on his takeaways from the win.

Up Next: Atlanta United (13-8-10, 49 points) returns to action Wednesday, Oct. 4 when it travels to face Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park at 7:30 p.m ET