Final Whistle: Three Goals, Three Wins, One Week, Atlanta United Are on a Run

The first match of May for Atlanta United was the sixth match in 18 days for the Five Stripes, covering both MLS and US Open Cup play. It was an opportunity to go for a third win in a row.

Three wins in a row in all competitions for Atlanta United for the first time since 2021. (photo: Vanessa Angel for the SDH Network)

Tata Martino made some rotations from the midweek win at Matthews against Charlotte FC. Lucas Hoyos started in net. The backline was Pedro Amador, Enea Mihaj, Stian Gregersen, and Tomas Jacob. Tristán Muyumba, Matías Galarza, and Cooper Sanchez lined up in the midfield. Alexey Miranchuk, Saba Lobjanidze, and Latte Lath were up top. Injuries kept Alzate, Miguel Almirón, Santos, and Togashi off the sheet entirely.

For CF Montréal, fresh off their win at home against NYCFC, Thomas Gillier was in net. Luca Petrasso, Brayan Vera, Efraín Morales, and Dawid Bugaj were at the back. The midfield had Olger Escobar, Samuel Piette, and Matty Longstaff, with Iván Jaime, Prince Owusu, and Wiki Carmona up top.

Atlanta United had to come from behind after a 6th-minute interception off an Atlanta United buildup from the back. An Enea Mihaj pass was picked off at the top of the 18 as CF Montréal pressed. The ball cycled to Matty Longstaff, who shot just inside the near post for the 1-0 road lead.

It took a while for Atlanta United to find their rhythm. CF Montréal leaned on fouls to disrupt the home team's pace. Midway through the first half, Tomas Jacob crossed from the right and just missed the connection with Latte Lath as he slid into the Montréal six. A Matías Galarza attempt going the other way was cleared by the visitors.

Saba Lobjanidze had a pair of moments in the first half. He put a shot to the near post in the 27th minute, and Matías Galarza tried to take advantage of a Latte Lath chest pass, directing it to Galarza, but the subsequent shot fluttered and it stayed 1-0.

Saba's second moment came in the 41st minute and it tied the match. He worked to his right at the edge of the Montréal 18, gave himself enough room, and fired with the right foot. Thomas Gillier got a glove on the shot at full extension, but the ball trickled over the goal line for Saba's first goal of the season.

Atlanta kept up the pressure in the closing minutes of the half. A CF Montréal pass turned into a Cooper Sanchez interception. Sanchez, Latte Lath, and Alexey Miranchuk combined to advance the ball inside the 18, and a Miranchuk cutback found Latte Lath, who put Atlanta United in front as the first half came to a close.

Shots were 7 apiece in the first half, with Atlanta United holding a 3-to-2 edge on target. United controlled the game across the board in possession (nearly 70%), final third entries, passes inside the final third, and long ball attempts and completions. But it took almost 45 minutes to get the only number that mattered, the lead on the scoreboard.

Atlanta United added a third early in the 50th minute. Cooper Sanchez triggered the press and forced a Luca Petrasso turnover, then pushed a pass out left to Saba Lobjanidze, who smashed the ball past Gillier for his brace and goal number three.

CF Montréal held the majority of possession in the second half chasing a comeback at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a venue they have found little success at in 2026. With twenty minutes to go, Martino went to his bench. Matías Galarza and Stian Gregersen came off for Matt Edwards and Juan Berrocal. Fafa Picault had to exit after taking a hit on an offensive run with 15 minutes left. Luke Brennan was the fifth and final Atlanta United substitution.

Four Atlanta United Academy products finished the night in the eleven: Edwards, Jay Fortune, Brennan, and Sanchez. Cooper Sanchez finished with two key passes and five long ball completions going forward, plus five different defensive categories registered in his time on the pitch.

Alexey Miranchuk finished with four key passes, two assists, and seven defensive recoveries. But once again, it was the young players for Atlanta United who were front and center in a third win in a week across two separate competitions.

Next up is the last home match before the World Cup break, as the LA Galaxy come to Mercedes-Benz Stadium next Saturday.