Josef Martinez Shines as CF Montréal Defeats Atlanta United 2-1

Josef Martinez, a former standout for Atlanta United, returned to haunt his old team by scoring both goals that clinched a 2-1 victory for CF Montréal on Wednesday. The match took place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marking an important win for the Canadian team in their quest for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS).

Martinez, who scored 98 goals during his six-year stint with Atlanta United, was instrumental in pushing CF Montréal closer to securing a playoff spot. Montréal’s victory moved them to the eighth position in the Eastern Conference standings, three points ahead of both the Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC, who both suffered defeats on Wednesday. Under MLS rules, the teams ranked eighth and ninth in each conference must compete in a play-in game before the first round of playoffs.

This victory was significant for CF Montréal (with a record of 10-12-10), marking their first win at Atlanta’s grounds after a history of five losses and one draw. It was also their first away victory since March 10. “It’s always difficult to play against them,” Martinez commented. “I’ve had many special moments with Atlanta and have much love for the team, but this is professional football, and I have to fight for my colors.”

Laurent Courtois, head coach for CF Montréal, praised Martinez, stating, “It was a special match for him tonight, and we saw how impactful he could be. He’s one of the most exciting players I’ve seen, and although we could have given him better service this season, he has always remained patient and supportive of his teammates.”

Meanwhile, Daniel Rios was on target for Atlanta United (record 8-14-10), who failed to capitalize on the opportunity to close the playoff gap. This marks their fifth consecutive match without a win, placing them at 12th in the conference standings, trailing the Union and TFC by three points.

Samuel Piette, captain of CF Montréal, reflected on the strategy that led to their success, stating, “We knew they had to win tonight and would push hard. Scoring first away from home allowed us to be cautious but firm. We had to withstand the pressure, and that’s exactly what we did to score the second goal.”

CF Montréal is set to face Charlotte FC next, a team that confirmed its playoff berth the same day. The match will be crucial for Montréal as they aim to solidify their playoff position further. During the initial moments of the Wednesday match, CF Montréal demonstrated their early dominance, nearly scoring within the first two minutes. Caden Clark narrowly missed opening the score with a shot that deflected off the post.

Atlanta United’s attempts were captured predominantly through efforts by players like Saba Lobjanidze, who came close to scoring twice but was thwarted by a vigilant Montréal defense. However, it was Josef Martinez who broke the deadlock before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive mishap to score the opening goal.

In another significant match, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami clinched yet another trophy, securing the season’s top spot in the league. Messi’s two goals and a crucial penalty save by Drake Callender ensured their 3-2 win against Columbus Crew, further solidifying Messi’s illustrious career with a record 46 major trophies.