MONTREAL, QC – JULY 28: MLS match between Montreal Impact and Atlanta United at Stade Saputo in Montreal, QC. Canada on July 28, 2018.
PHOTO: Steve Kingsman / Freestyle Photography for Atlanta United
Atlanta United halts Montreal five game home win streak
Atlanta United defeated the Montreal Impact 2-1 in front of 19,064 fans at Stade Saputo, led by a brace from MLS Golden Boot leader Josef Martínez. Martínez continues his torrid scoring pace with 24 goals, just three shy of the MLS record for a single season.
Atlanta controlled the match for the first 65 minutes, once they had the two goal lead they settled back and invited pressure. For the 16th time this season Atlanta scored the first goal of the match. They took the 1-0 lead into the half. The match was delayed for more than hour during halftime due to severe weather. The match finally resumed at 9:20 p.m., and within the first 15 minutes Atlanta added a second goal. The Impact were able to pull back one goal through an Ignacio Piatti 87th minute goal, but the game never really looked in doubt.
Atlanta Head goal keeper Brad Guzan, who put in a solid night with six saves, spoke to the success that this team has found on the road, “The one thing I would say is we’re a bunch of competitors and guys that, when we step across that white line, want to win regardless if it’s home or away. You go into a place knowing that we’re going to get the other team’s best performance. We know when teams play us now they’re geared up for it and we have to be at our best to deal with that.”
Scoring Details
Montreal Impact 0 – Atlanta United 1 Josef Martínez (Tito Villalba, Miguel Almirón) 31′
Miguel Almirón found a pocket of space at midfield and played a through ball into the far corner flag that had the Montreal defense off-guard focused on an off-side Martínez. However, Tito Villalba who was streaking down the sideline, got on the end of the pass and sent a cross into the box for Martínez. Unlike earlier in the half when Martínez failed to capitalize on a similar cross, he crushed a header in a goal.
The Golden Boot leader is at it again ?
Make that 23 for @JosefMartinez17 pic.twitter.com/OEx6MHYqLr
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) July 28, 2018
Montreal Impact 0 – Atlanta United 2 Josef Martínez 57′
Franco Escobar demonstrated his tireless work rate and tenacity when he re-gained possession of a loose ball near the edge of the 18 yard box. He played Julian Gressel in toward goal who had his shot on goal blocked by Montreal goal keeper Evan Bush. Escobar grabbed the rebound and took a shot on goal that was cleared by Montreal defender Jukka Raitala. The Raitala attempted clearance was weak and Martínez stepped in front to re-direct the ball into the goal.
24 goals. 23 games.
The matches just can't keep up with @JosefMartinez17 pic.twitter.com/2soNfMDhDm
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) July 29, 2018
Montreal Impact 1 – Atlanta United 2 Ignacio Piatti (Alejandro Silva) 87′
Ignacio Piatti found some space late in the match as the Atlanta back-line was scrambling. He took a pass from Alejandro Silva and rocketed the ball into the roof of the goal.
MONTREAL, QC – JULY 28: MLS match between Montreal Impact and Atlanta United at Stade Saputo in Montreal, QC. Canada on July 28, 2018.
PHOTO: Steve Kingsman / Freestyle Photography for Atlanta United
Personnel Details
Eric Remedi made his first MLS start. The defensive midfielder had a very active night with 65 touches second on that team along with, six tackles and three clearances. He did a great job holding possession with 86.4% passing accuracy. His presence and work rate were key as the team looked to hold on to the lead late in the match.
Fellow midfielder, veteran Jeff Larentowicz spoke on playing with Remedi, “[Remedi is] still working some things out but I think that he’s going to fit in nicely. He’s a very good player, a player that when you play in games like this, you want him on your side. And I think he did well today.
Franco Escobar had a tough assignment covering Ignacio Piatti all night. In the 23rd minute he picked up yellow card and still had a lot of work to do keeping Piatti contained. The yellow card was his sixth of the season and he will now be forced to miss the next match against Toronto FC due to accumulation.
After the match, Head coach Tata Martino talked about Escobar’s contribution to the team, “We like attacking full-backs and we were confident that Franco could give us that. He’s still getting used to the team but every game he gains more confidence.”
Line-ups
Atlanta United
- GK: Brad Guzan
- Defenders (4): Chris McCann, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Michael Parkhurst, Franco Escobar
- Midfielders (2): Jeff Larentowicz, Eric Remedi
- Midfielders (3): Tito Villalba (Kevin Kratz – 90+2’), Miguel Almirón, Julian Gressel
- Forward (1): Josef Martinez (Brandon Vazquez – 84’)
Unused Substitutes
- Alec Kann, Miles Robinson, Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, Andrew Carleton, Romario Williams
Montreal Impact
- GK: Evan Bush
- Defenders (4): Daniel Lovitz, Rudy Camacho, Rod Fanni, Jukka Raitala (Michael Petrasso – 84’)
- Midfielders (3): Saphir Taïder (Mathieu Choinière – 65’), Samuel Piette, Ken Krolicki (Jeisson Vargas – 86’)
- Forward (3): Ignacio Piatta, Matteo Mancosu, Alejandro Silva
Unused Substitutes
- Clément Diop, Victor Cabrera, Shamit Shome, Dominic Oduro.
Up Next
Atlanta United returns to action when it host defending MLS Cup champions Toronto FC on Saturday, August 4 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
