Atlanta United Defeat CF Montreal On Penalties, Set Up Inter Miami Showdown

Written by Patrick Echatah

After their MLS Cup wild card match ended 2-2, Atlanta United defeated CF Montreal 5-4 in a penalty shootout on Tuesday to advance to the first round of the playoffs, where they will face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.

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The game went into a shootout after Atlanta, who sneaked into the wild card round on the last day of the regular season, lead 2-0 at the half thanks to two goals from their former striker Josef Martinez.

The sole failed attempt of the shootout was Montreal’s second spot kick, which was saved by Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan from English midfielder Tom Pearce.

Atlanta will play Inter Miami in a ‘best of three’ series that begins Friday in Florida. Gerardo Martino, Miami’s Argentine coach, led Atlanta to their first championship in 2018.

After a long 45-pass move, Pedro Amador crossed from the left, and Brooks Lennon reached the back post to score with a diving header, giving the visitors the lead against the flow of play.

Saba Lobzhanidze then curled in a low cross to the unmarked winger, giving Lennon a fantastic opportunity to add a second, but he missed the target.

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However, when Russian international Alexey Miranchuk curled in a free-kick to the back post, which was headed home by Norwegian Stian Gregersen, Atlanta struck again, revealing Montreal’s weakness on crosses.

After the half, Lobzhanidze had a chance to make it 3-0, but Montreal goalie Jonathan Sirois stopped the Georgian’s attempt.

Guzan, a 40-year-old former USA international goalie, made a terrible mistake that allowed Martinez to jump on a routine cross from Pearce and score, giving Montreal a foothold in the match.

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