Atlanta United Advances in MLS Cup Playoffs with Dramatic Shootout Victory over CF Montréal

Atlanta United triumphed over CF Montréal in a thrilling 2-2 (5-4 in penalties) victory to secure their spot in the Round One Best-of-3 series in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan made a crucial save in the shootout, while all five Atlanta players converted their spot kicks to seal the win. With the victory, Atlanta moves on to face Inter Miami CF, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday, Oct. 25, in Miami at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Interim Head Coach Rob Valentino expressed his excitement about the upcoming match against Inter Miami, especially at the prospect of playing in front of a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium. “Yes, of course, it’s always exciting to play in big games, and I’m looking forward to playing in Mercedes-Benz with the stadium packed,” Valentino said. “So to play in front of our fans, I’m looking forward very much to playing in this game.”

Atlanta United took the lead in the 29th minute thanks to a headed goal from Brooks Lennon. After a patient 44-pass build-up, Pedro Amador delivered a pinpoint cross from the left wing, which Lennon nodded into the side netting for his first goal of the season. The assist marked Amador’s fifth of the year.

Minutes later, Lennon nearly doubled his tally. Saba Lobjanidze whipped an early cross behind Montréal’s defense, finding Lennon unmarked at the edge of the six-yard box, but his first-time effort sailed over the bar.

Stian Gregersen made it 2-0 for Atlanta in the 44th minute. Alexey Miranchuk sent a left-footed free kick into the box, where Gregersen shook off his defender and powered a header past Montréal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois. Atlanta finished the first half with two goals from four shots on target, heading into halftime with a commanding lead.

Atlanta pressed for a third goal early in the second half. Lobjanidze had a chance in the 53rd minute, cutting inside the box and firing a low shot straight at Sirois. However, momentum shifted in the 63rd minute when Josef Martínez pulled one back for Montréal. After Guzan came off his line, Martínez pounced on a loose ball in the box, calmly slotting it into the open net to make it 2-1.

Guzan was called into action multiple times as Montréal ramped up the pressure. He made a diving save in the 73rd minute to deny George Campbell from close range, and followed that up with another key stop on a 25-yard free kick from Tom Pearce in the 76th minute.

Atlanta had chances to restore their two-goal lead in the closing stages, with Daniel Ríos and Lobjanidze both narrowly missing the target. However, Montréal found the equalizer in the 89th minute when VAR awarded a penalty for a foul on Lennon just inside the box. Martínez calmly converted from the spot, sending the match to penalties after regulation ended 2-2.

In the penalty shootout, Guzan made a crucial diving save on Montréal’s second attempt by Tom Pearce. Atlanta responded with perfect penalties from Dax McCarty, Ríos, Miranchuk, and Derrick Williams. With the score 4-4 going into the final round, Lobjanidze sealed the victory for Atlanta, calmly slotting his penalty into the bottom left corner to send Sirois the wrong way.

With the victory, Atlanta United now turns its focus to the Best-of-3 series against Inter Miami CF, beginning with Game 1 in Miami on Friday. The matchup promises to be an exciting showdown as both teams vie for a spot in the next round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.