Atlanta United FC defeated CF Montreal 4-1 on Sept. 23 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to clinch a playoff spot in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Eastern Conference. The 2018 MLS Cup champion returned to the postseason after missing out on the playoffs in 2022.
“It’s very meaningful,” Atlanta United Head Coach Gonzalo Pineda said at the post-game conference. “Thirty-one games and we got it, especially after last year [when] we didn’t achieve that. For me, for Atlanta, [making the playoffs] should be the minimum requirement of the season.”
Atlanta started off the game strong by controlling much of the early possession. Midfielder Saba Lobjanidze and forward Xande Silva created several early chances on the wings. Pineda said he liked the “mentality” of the team in the first half.
“Offensively, [it] was very good at the beginning of the game,” Pineda said. “I think we should have scored the goal earlier. It didn’t come but I like the mentality of the team where we continue creating chances and disrupting Montreal’s defensive line.”
Atlanta’s break-through goal came 30 minutes into the game. Forward Giorgos Giakoumakis dropped into midfield and found Lobjanidze out wide. Lobjanidze squared the ball across the box to Silva, who converted Lobjanidze’ cross and scored his second goal in five games for Atlanta.
Pineda said he was “pleased” with the performances from Silva and Lobjanidze and elaborated on how competition leads to improved creative output.
“They’re competing against each other as well on who’s more productive, but at the same time they’re unselfish,” Pineda said. “They’re trying to make the team successful, and if they have to pass the ball instead of shooting, they do. And all those little things are so important for the chemistry in the final third.”
Silva assisted midfielder Thiago Almada two minutes later after his opening goal to double Atlanta’s lead. Defender Caleb Wiley cut the ball back to Silva at the top of the box. Silva then dribbled around Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois to set up the shot for Almada, effectively carving through Montreal’s defense.
Montreal responded to Atlanta’s wave of attack eight minutes later. Montreal defender Joel Waterman’s cross field pass found Montreal winger Lassi Lappalainen out wide, who cut the ball back for midfielder Ahmed Hamdi. Hamdi’s powerful shot beat Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan in the 40th minute, bringing the score to 2-1 at halftime.
Pineda said he is “very picky” with his wingers and forwards because he demands that they attempt to win the ball back immediately. This tactic directly led to Atlanta’s third goal. Right after the second half kick-off, Silva’s immediate pressure forced Montreal defender Gabriele Corbo to lose possession. Giakoumakis pounced on the loose ball and lobbed the ball over Sirois to restore Atlanta’s two goal lead.
For the remainder of the second half, Montreal had little attacking threat, while Atlanta continued to create scoring opportunities on the counter. Watermen received a red card in the 87th minute for fouling Atlanta forward Jamal Thiare as the last defender during a goal-scoring opportunity. Atlanta winger Edwin Mosquera then scored late to cement the big win. Pineda said he was especially pleased with the young “game changers” he brought off the bench, including Mosquerea and winger Tyler Wolff.
The 4-1 win confirmed Atlanta’s place in the MLS Eastern Conference’s playoff spots. Pineda said the team is excited to return to the playoffs, but he acknowledged that their work this season does not stop there.
In response to a reporter jokingly asking if Pineda’s cup was filled with champagne to celebrate the win, the head coach replied that the win was “not even close with the main goals that we have for this year.”
“Of course, it’s a very happy day for the whole franchise, the club, the staff, the players, the fans but still, we have too many things to achieve this year and this is just the beginning,” Pineda said. “So, it’s still my coffee. Once we win a trophy, then maybe champagne.”
