Atlanta United showed the mental resolve they've been looking for this season on Saturday night. The 5-Stripes didn't let an early mistake shake them, responding with a pair of goals before the halftime break and never looking back. Saba Lobjanidze had a dynamic night, with two goals to lift his side over CF Montréal 3-1, their third consecutive win.
What happened
Atlanta United jumped into early possession, and CF Montréal weren't exactly eager to press. Instead, the visitors would slowly creep up and apply pressure.
That tactic paid off in the 6th minute, as Enea Mihaj turned the ball over deep in Atlanta United's defensive third and Montréal snapped at the opportunity. Matty Longstaff converted a wide-open strike just inside the box from a pass from Prince Owusu.
What began as a tricky wrinkle was eventually a puzzle solved by the 5-Stripes. They found switching balls to earn numerical advantages and break down the press.
They earned more possession in the next phase of the first half, but Montréal kept breaking on the counter. Le CFM hit the post from a Wikelman Carmona strike in the 24th minute, a strike that was a few inches away from being a second goal.
Saba Lobjanidze broke through on goal in the 25th minute from a keen Cooper Sanchez pass, but he wasn't able to squeeze a shot past the keeper from a tight angle on the right side.
Matías Galarza also got a good look at the net five minutes later. Alexey Miranchuk's cross went long, and Emmanuel Latte Lath got on the end of it with a squared header back into the middle. Galarza got onto it, slicing a strike that looped just over the crossbar.
Lobjanidze found space in between defenders in the 41st minute and cleverly faked a shot to open up some room in the box. His strike was driven and low, and though goalkeeper Thomas Gillier got a hand to it, it wasn't enough to slow the ball from rolling over the line. The 5-Stripes were level at 1-1 and felt the noise of the 17s growing into the halftime break.
But they weren't done there. Miranchuk found space on the right side and drew Gillier off his line. The captain then squared the ball across the face to Latte Lath, and the designated players combined for a goal to take the lead. The Ivorian's strike into an open net was emphatic, and the 5-Stripes had a 2-1 lead in the 51st minute of the first half. Moments later, the whistle blew for the break.
It was Montréal who took authority at the beginning of the second half, but the 5-Stripes brought some of their own pressure. Cooper Sanchez had a moment of brilliance, winning the ball back off a defender in a dangerous area, driving it forward and dishing to Saba. The Georgian made it two on the night for him, roofing the shot past the keeper to make it 3-1 in the 50th minute of the second half.
Saba kept cooking and broke on the counter in the 55th minute. With just the keeper to beat, he took a touch past Gillier but it got away from him and out for a goal kick.
In the 64th minute, head coach Tata Martino made substitutions to keep legs fresh, and Lobjanidze got a well-earned standing ovation leaving the pitch. In doing so, the 5-Stripes slowed the match down, opting to attack in transitions and defend a tighter unit to hold onto the lead. They still produced on the attacking end, though, as Miranchuk forced a save in the 79th minute.
What started out as a nervous performance turned into a dominant display. Atlanta United was outshot 5-1 until the 25th minute, and for the rest of the match, they flipped the switch and outshot Montréal 17-6. The end of the match wasn't without Montréal chances, as Hoyos made a save on a longshot in the 90th minute. A scuffle also broke out in added time, one that saw Brayan Vera shown a red card in a moment of frustration.
Standouts
- Alexey Miranchuk continued his goal contributions streak, making it three matches in a row where he's picked up either a goal or an assist. His brace of assists in the first half fueled a swift comeback and gave the 5-Stripes momentum into the break.
- Saba Lobjanidze scored his first two goals of the 2026 season and played a fine, direct match on the wing. His ability to take on defenders and drive towards goal gave the 5-Stripes' attack depth.
Milestones
- Saba Lobjanidze scored his first two goals of the 2026 season in the 41st minute and 50th minutes. The forward has 17 goals in all competitions with the 5-Stripes and had his first brace since May of 2024.
- Alexey Miranchuk picked up two assists in the first half and has now been involved in a goal in three consecutive matches in all competitions for the second time in his Atlanta United career (August 6-16, 2025).
- Cooper Sanchez picked up his third assist of the season, tied for the most by any player 18 years or younger in MLS in 2026.
- Fafa Picault made a substitute appearance, his 250th in regular season MLS play over his 10-year career in the league.
Next up
Atlanta United hosts for the last time before the season break for the FIFA 2026 World Cup as they face Western Conference opponent Los Angeles Galaxy Saturday, May 9. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the club Unified teams will begin their seasons with a match after the conclusion of the First Team match.
