Late Miranchuk Goal Earns Atlanta United 1-1 Draw in Montréal

ATLANTA — Alexey Miranchuk’s late header salvaged a point for Atlanta United on Saturday night, as the Five Stripes battled CF Montréal to a 1-1 draw at Stade Saputo. The equalizer, coming in the 87th minute, marked Miranchuk’s fifth MLS goal of the season and seventh across all competitions. The night also saw summer signings Juan Berrocal and Steven Alzate make their debuts for the club.

Atlanta started brightly, controlling possession through the opening quarter-hour and creating the first clear chance in the 14th minute. Miranchuk slipped a deft chip over Montréal’s backline to Saba Lobjanidze, whose volley sailed just over the crossbar. Moments later, Tristan Muyumba and striker Giorgos Giakoumakis—wait, this one’s Latte Lath—combined to free the Ivorian forward for a driven shot that forced a diving save from Thomas Gillier. Ronald Hernández recycled the rebound into the box, where Miguel Almirón’s header was stopped at the near post.

The visitors continued to press, and Latte Lath came within inches of opening the scoring in the 30th minute after pouncing on a Montréal defensive miscue, but his low shot skimmed wide of the far post.

Instead, it was the hosts who struck first. In the 40th minute, Dante Sealy finished off a fluid move set up by Prince Owusu and Caden Clark, slotting a left-footed effort into the lower corner to put Montréal ahead 1-0.

Ronny Deila turned to his bench at halftime, introducing Will Reilly for Muyumba. Atlanta carved out its best chance of the second half in the 56th minute when Lobjanidze found Brooks Lennon breaking into the box, but the defender’s shot went straight at Gillier.

Berrocal made his debut in the 66th minute, replacing Enea Mihaj, and nearly made an impact with a long diagonal ball that led to a blocked Lobjanidze shot. Alzate entered in the 83rd minute for Hernández to make his first appearance in red and black.

The breakthrough finally came with three minutes left. Lobjanidze’s corner to the near post was flicked on by Bartosz Slisz. A Montréal clearance attempt deflected toward the goal line, where Miranchuk reacted fastest to nod home the equalizer.

With the draw, Atlanta moves to 4-11-10 (22 points) on the season. The Five Stripes will look to build momentum when they visit the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, Aug. 16 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (9:30 p.m. ET).