This Day in Atlanta Soccer History, October 22
From unforgettable Atlanta United matches to the players who have shaped soccer in our city, SDH is exploring Atlanta's soccer history every day in Morning Espresso. Subscribe to our free newsletter to discover the stories, milestones, and moments that built the game in Atlanta.
Atlanta soccer history is filled with memorable matches, remarkable players, and moments that helped shape the sport's growth in our city.
Every day in SDH's Morning Espresso newsletter, we're looking back at the people and events that share a date on the calendar. Some are defining moments. Others are stories that might have been forgotten or deserve to be discovered by a new generation of soccer fans.
October 22 gives us three very different stories: a dramatic playoff escape, a record-setting crowd, and a birthday for one of Atlanta United 2's standout performers.
2024: Atlanta United Survives Josef Martínez in Montréal
Two years ago today, Atlanta United kept its improbable postseason run alive with a dramatic victory over CF Montréal in the MLS Cup Eastern Conference Wild Card match.
Atlanta appeared to be in complete control after first-half goals from Brooks Lennon and Stian Gregersen. Lennon opened the scoring in the 29th minute, and Gregersen doubled the advantage just before halftime.
Then came a familiar face.
Josef Martínez, Atlanta United's all-time leading scorer and one of the defining figures in the club's history, brought Montréal back into the match. He scored in the 63rd minute and converted an 89th-minute penalty to force a 2-2 draw.
The match went directly to a penalty shootout, where Brad Guzan made the decisive save against Tom Pearce. Atlanta converted all five attempts, with Saba Lobjanidze delivering the winner.
It was Atlanta United's first playoff shootout victory, and it kept alive a postseason run that had seemed unlikely just weeks earlier.
The ninth-seeded Five Stripes advanced to face top-seeded Inter Miami, where they would eventually eliminate Lionel Messi and the Supporters' Shield winners in one of the biggest upsets in MLS playoff history.
The victory in Montréal was the first dramatic chapter of that postseason story.
2017: A Record Crowd Watches Atlanta United's First Regular-Season Finale
Nine years ago today, Atlanta United completed its inaugural MLS regular season with a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
A crowd of 71,874 established a new MLS single-match attendance record, another remarkable achievement for a club that had already shattered expectations for soccer support in its first season.
Yamil Asad opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 31st minute, but Jozy Altidore equalized for Toronto before halftime.
Josef Martínez restored Atlanta's lead in the 74th minute, only for Sebastian Giovinco to produce a spectacular free kick in the 84th minute to secure the draw.
The result meant Toronto finished the regular season with 69 points, establishing a new MLS single-season record.
There's an interesting connection to yesterday's Atlanta soccer history.
On October 21, 2018, almost exactly one year later, Atlanta United defeated Chicago Fire to reach 69 points itself, tying the record Toronto had established in Atlanta. Even more interesting, it was Toronto who beat Atlanta on Decision Day in 2018 to prevent the Five Stripes from breaking the record. The New York Red Bulls broke it instead on their way to the Supporters' Shield that season, which ended up being consolation for falling in the playoffs.
The 2017 match also marked the conclusion of a historic first regular season for the Five Stripes. Atlanta finished fourth in the Eastern Conference and became the first MLS expansion team since Seattle in 2009 to qualify for the playoffs in its inaugural season.
The club's first postseason appearance would come just four days later against Columbus Crew.
Happy 24th Birthday, Cameron Dunbar!
October 22 is also the birthday of Atlanta United 2 midfielder Cameron Dunbar, who turns 24 today.
Dunbar has been one of the standout performers in MLS NEXT Pro during the 2026 season, earning the league's Playmaker of the Year award.
His 13 assists tied the MLS NEXT Pro single-season record, while his 72 key passes led the league. Dunbar also contributed nine goals as Atlanta United 2 enjoyed its most successful regular season and reached the playoffs for the first time.
Dunbar joined Atlanta United 2 in December 2025 after previously playing for Orange County SC in the USL Championship.
Earlier this season, SDH spoke with Dunbar about his development, his role with Atlanta United 2, and his ambitions for the future.
Discover Atlanta Soccer History Every Morning
These are just three stories from one date on Atlanta's soccer calendar.
The city's history includes the Atlanta Chiefs and the early days of professional soccer, the Atlanta Apollos, the Atlanta Ruckus and Silverbacks, the Atlanta Beat and the growth of women's soccer, Atlanta United's rise, and generations of players, coaches, and supporters who helped build the game throughout Georgia.
We're continuing to research that history, uncovering stories from newspaper archives, match records, player histories, and other sources to better understand how soccer became part of Atlanta's identity.
This Day in Atlanta Soccer History is now a regular feature of SDH's free Morning Espresso newsletter.
Subscribe to Morning Espresso and start each day with the latest Atlanta soccer news, analysis, and a look back at the history that brought us here.
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