SUMMARY
ATLANTA – Two goals from Josef Martinez led CF Montreal to a crucial 2-1 victory against Atlanta United on Wednesday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Laurent Courtois’ team extended its unbeaten streak to five matches. But above all, it overtook two clubs in the standings to find itself in eighth place in the race for the playoffs, taking advantage of the defeats of Toronto FC and the Philadelphia Union.
The CFM collected 13 points out of a possible 15 during these five games.
Josef Martinez opened the scoring in the 43rd minute of play with a third goal against his former team.
The CFM did not have the opportunity to return to the locker room with the lead since Daniel Rios created the tie in the added time. Rios broke free from Fernando Alvarez’s coverage to find the back of the net with a header.
Martinez, still warmly encouraged by his former supporters, added another goal in the 76th minute.
With two games to play, Montreal (40 points) is ahead of TFC (37), in 9th and final place giving access to the playoffs, and Union (37), 10th. Note that Toronto played one more game than its rivals.
Atlanta United has not won in its last five matches. The Five Stripes were winless in September, their last coming on August 31, when they beat Charlotte FC 1-0 in North Carolina.
The two teams faced each other on July 13 at Stade Saputo. Jonathan Sirois then completed a shutout in a 1-0 victory.
CF Montreal will close out its three-game week by taking on Charlotte FC in its final road game this season this Saturday.
