I'm doing a single thread for this due to a mix of pessimism, laziness, and hoping it turns out to be a reverse jinx. After all, it would be both beautifully ironic and absolutely hilarious if Atlanta, who took 4 points off Miami, were to eliminate Tata, Meesi, and company. It's a dream, I know, but allow me 30 seconds of whimsy. Before that comes the chance for revenge against Josef. Or the chance to put us all out of our '24 agony and start looking ahead to next year. CF Montreal vs Atlanta United Saputo Stadium, Montreal Tuesday, Oct. 22, 7:30 PM Apple TV MLSsoccer.com preview here. AJC.com United coverage AUFC home page Montreal home page Player Availability Reports here. Past Results Atlanta (10-10-14) ORL 1-2 ATL ATL 2-1 RBNY ATL 1-2 Josef Montreal (11-10-13) MTL 2-0 CFGNY CLT 2-0 MTL ATL 1-2 MTL
Game's tonight, sir. MLS' website says the game is on 'Apple TV - Free', so I'm not sure if that means it's free to everyone, or only those who subscribe to Apple TV +. This is a winnable game, despite Atlanta's performances against Montreal this season. Win this, you play against Miami, who you've looked good against this year. Survive that, you play Orlando or Charlotte, both of whom you beat on the road post League's Cup. Win that, you're in the Conference Finals. Despite how this team has played this year, you can make a plausible argument for this club to either exit immediately, or make it to the conference finals. At the point it would be Columbus or Cincy, which, yeah, no, I can't see any way of winning that game. But still, after the year the club has had, it'd be nice for them to go on a little run at the end. Plus the home game against Miami and Messi would be absolutely lit.
D'oh! I had the date right, at least. Hernandez added to the lineup so Lennon can move forward and Saba shift to the left, while Wolff goes back to the bench. Thiare starts up front.
18' 0-0 Nothing much of note to fret or celebrate. Montreal has a pair of shots from outside the box, but that's about it.
HT: 0-2 Atlanta has not had much sustained possession, but as the studio crew pointed out, Atlanta's burst late in the half came after Miranchuk was dropped deeper, Atlanta did better in holding the ball, and was able to attack in numbers when they did move forward.
49' sees Amador have to be subbed out for an injury. Wolff comes in, Saba to the right, Lennon to right back, Hernandez to left back.
53' Wolff sends Saba down with a great cross field pass, but Saba isn't patient enough to feed Thiare, instead shooting into the keeper.
62' and Josef slots home after Brad bundles a deep cross. Likely thrown off by Gregersen attempting to get the ball. Either way, ugly. 1-2 Game on. Unfortunately
73' and the ball has pretty much been in Atlanta's half since the goal. Guzan with a great low glove save from Campbell. Rios and McCarty in for Thiare and Fortune.
Watching it on replay now. Did not have "Brooks Lennon with a header on the near post during the run of play" on my bingo card, but I'll take it. A few minutes later, he missed an absolute sitter on the back post. Montreal had a couple of good shots -- Josef with at least one -- in the first half that could have changed the narrative quickly. Fortune slid on his face for like five yards to earn the foul that led to our second goal. And then nobody bothered to mark Gregersen. Nice! Weathered the second half onslaught, and on to Miami!
Technically the foul occurred about the 86' mark. Still regrettable. First goal surrendered was the more egregious, IMO. Brad botched that one
Martinez - Goal Pearce - SAVE GUZ! Saliba - Goal Corbo - Goal (but Guzan touched it) Vilsaint - Goal McCarty - Goal Rios - Goal Miranchuk - Goal Williams - Goal Lobzhanidze - Goal!
Well. Guess I'm going to another home match. Fun fact: Atlanta has the best record against Miami of any MLS team. Miami lost 4 games all season. Against 3 of those opponents Miami won the second and match, but only drew against Atlanta.