October 23, 2024 – MONTREAL
In a night filled with high drama and a rollercoaster of emotions, Atlanta United ended CF Montreal’s 2024 MLS campaign with a 2-2 (5-4) penalty shootout victory at Stade Saputo. The match, which marked Montreal’s first playoff appearance since 2022, was a gripping affair that left both players and fans in a whirlwind of hope, heartbreak, and reflection.
Despite Montreal’s strong performance, two critical errors allowed Atlanta United to secure the upper hand during regular time, with goals from Brooks Lennon and Stian Gregersen giving them a 2-0 lead. However, a determined Montreal clawed their way back with a brace from Josef Martinez to level the score. Ultimately, the game was decided by penalties, where Atlanta’s poise from the spot proved decisive.
Atlanta Strikes Against the Run of Play
From the opening whistle, Montreal demonstrated their intent by dominating possession and pressing high, eager to break down a disciplined Atlanta defense. However, it was Atlanta who struck first, making the most of their chances and catching Montreal off guard.
The breakthrough came in the 29th minute when a defensive lapse allowed Atlanta’s Brooks Lennon to slip past his marker and meet a perfect cross from Pedro Amador. Lennon calmly directed the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois helpless.
Just two minutes later, Lennon found himself in an almost identical position with another opportunity to double the lead. This time, however, his shot flew high and wide, sparing Montreal from an early disaster.
Despite the early setback, Montreal continued to dictate the tempo, but their efforts were constantly thwarted by a well-organized Atlanta defense that absorbed the pressure and forced the home side to work hard for any openings.
Atlanta Extends Lead Before Half-Time
As the first half wore on, Montreal’s inability to break down Atlanta’s defensive block became more pronounced. The home side’s frustration mounted, and their vulnerability on set pieces was exposed again just before the break.
In the 44th minute, Atlanta’s Stian Gregersen doubled the visitors’ advantage with a powerful header from a corner. The Norwegian defender, unmarked, rose above Montreal’s defense and steered the ball past Sirois, sending Atlanta into the locker room with a commanding 2-0 lead.
Montreal now faced a steep uphill battle if they were to keep their playoff dreams alive.
Martinez Sparks a Comeback for Montreal
Montreal emerged for the second half with renewed energy and intent, knowing that they needed two goals to stay in the competition. The home side’s urgency was evident as they pushed forward relentlessly, looking for any opportunity to penetrate Atlanta’s defense.
The breakthrough finally came in the 63rd minute, courtesy of substitute Tome Pearce, whose dangerous cross into the box caused chaos. Atlanta’s veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan spilled the ball, and Josef Martinez, ever the poacher, was quick to react, firing the ball into the net to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The goal electrified the Montreal supporters and injected new life into the team as they pushed for an equalizer. Atlanta, meanwhile, dropped deeper into their defensive shape, determined to hold on to their slim advantage.
As the clock ticked down, Montreal’s relentless pressure paid off in the dying moments of regulation. In the 89th minute, the home side was awarded a penalty after a handball in the box. With everything on the line, Martinez stepped up once again and coolly slotted the ball into the top right corner, sending the crowd into a frenzy and forcing the game into a penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout Drama
After 90 minutes of intense action, the game moved to a penalty shootout to decide which team would advance to the next round. The tension was palpable as both sides prepared for the high-stakes moment, knowing that one miss could mean the end of their season.
For Montreal, Josef Martinez, Nathan Saliba, Gabriele Corbo, and Jules-Anthony Vilsaint found the back of the net. However, Pearce, whose cross had led to Montreal’s first goal, saw his attempt saved by Guzan, a pivotal moment in the shootout.
On the other side, Atlanta displayed nerves of steel, with Dax McCarty, Daniel Rios, Aleksey Mranchuk, Derrick Williams, and Saba Lobjanidze all converting their penalties. Lobjanidze’s final spot-kick sealed the victory for Atlanta, sending them through to the next round and leaving Montreal to rue their missed opportunities.
A Season of Highs and Lows for Montreal
Speaking after the match, Montreal head coach Laurent Courtois expressed pride in his team’s resilience but also acknowledged the pain of such a bitter defeat.
“Penalties are still such a random thing,” Courtois remarked. “But playing in front of the fans and giving them this show is very positive. There’s obviously a huge disappointment to lose like this—it’s cruel.”
Reflecting on the journey throughout the season, Courtois added, “When you look at the year as a whole and all the difficulties that we had to overcome, putting in this performance is something the staff and I are very happy about. We’ve shown a lot of character.”
Montreal captain Samuel Piette echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the team’s ability to fight back despite the odds. “We were in control for the entire match except for those two moments. I feel like we showed a lot of character, and the entire game represents exactly the last few weeks,” said Piette. “We were able to find answers to difficult questions and fight back. I would rather come back and lose in penalties than have never come back at all.”
Atlanta Sets Sights on Inter Miami
With the win, Atlanta United advances to face Inter Miami, the top seed led by global superstar Lionel Messi. The first game of the best-of-three series will take place on Friday at Chase Stadium in Miami, where Atlanta will need to raise their game even further if they hope to keep their playoff run alive.
“We know what we’re up against,” said Atlanta defender George Campbell, looking ahead to the challenge. “Messi and Miami have been in fantastic form, but we’ve got belief in ourselves and what we can do. Tonight showed that we can fight through tough moments, and we’ll be ready for whatever comes next.”
Campbell also reflected on the intensity of the match against Montreal, acknowledging the fine margins that often define playoff games. “I think if it was two periods of extra time, we probably would’ve poured on more chances and scored,” he said. “But we all knew the rules going into the game, so I don’t think it’s something we’ll think about too much.”
Looking Forward for CF Montreal
As Montreal’s season comes to an end, the team will now enter a period of reflection and rebuilding. After returning to the playoffs for the first time in two years, there is hope that the club can continue building on the progress made under Courtois’ leadership.
Several key players, including Samuel Piette, are expected to return next season, providing a strong foundation for future success. However, there will undoubtedly be questions about how to improve the squad’s depth and ability to handle high-pressure situations, particularly after coming so close to advancing.
For the Montreal faithful, the 2024 campaign was a step in the right direction. While the loss will sting, there is optimism that the team can take the lessons learned from this season and come back stronger in 2025.
Conclusion
In a thrilling match filled with momentum shifts, Atlanta United outlasted CF Montreal in a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout to advance to the next round of the MLS playoffs. Montreal’s resilience and fighting spirit were on full display as they battled back from a two-goal deficit to force penalties, but it was Atlanta who held their nerve in the shootout.
As Atlanta moves on to face Inter Miami and their talisman Lionel Messi, CF Montreal will look back on a season of growth and perseverance. While their playoff journey ends here, the foundation has been laid for future success, and the fans can take solace in the knowledge that their team left everything on the field.
Up next for Atlanta: an epic showdown with Inter Miami, where the stakes will be higher, and the spotlight even brighter.
