At this point in the season, every game is a new most important game for Atlanta United. A 1-1 draw against the Philadelphia Union last weekend, while impressive to put a stop to the Union’s form while on the road, wasn’t enough to turn the playoff odds in favor of the Five Stripes. Only three matches remain, including two this week in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, starting with arguably the most important one tonight against an in-form Josef Martinez and CF Montreal.
Still three points behind the playoff line, Atlanta United remains in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, while Montreal is even with 9th place Philadelphia on points and the wins tiebreaker, but comes up short on goal difference. A win tonight would see Atlanta jump Montreal into 10th, and depending upon favorable results for Orlando and New York Red Bulls against Philadelphia and Toronto, a result could even put the Five Stripes within striking distance heading into the weekend.
To do so, Atlanta will need to snap a four match winless run that includes three consecutive comeback draws against higher ranked conference opponents. Atlanta United fell on the road in their last meeting in Montreal, a 1-0 result for the Canadian side back in July. CF Montreal most recently handled business with a 3-0 score against Wooden Spoon winning San Jose, conversely marking their fourth in a row unbeaten.
Xande Silva remains out with a lingering foot injury, but Jamal Thiare and Ronald Hernandez are both available for selection and help shore up the squad’s depth headed into the final few matches of the regular season.
Kickoff from Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set for your typical 7:40 PM ET start, with streaming coming from Apple TV with a subscription to MLS Season Pass. Radio coverage is provided in English on 92.9 The Game and in Spanish on La Mejor.
Be sure to head down to our match thread in the comments below to discuss all the pre-, during, and post- match action unfolding in tonight’s midweek meeting in the Benz.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
CF Montreal’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Kickoff Time: Wednesday, October 2nd; 7:40 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: Apple TV (with MLS Season Pass Subscription)
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM
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This organization completely pissed away a very good thing. Even before he scored Josef must have been elated to see such an empty stadium. I was there because I can’t help myself, but I’m over it. Can’t wait for this shit season, these four or five straight shit seasons, to be done.
Must win … and we lose
This team c no one to drive or create plays..they are all vanilla and no skills no style, no game plan..just boring and a waste of time to watch..PLEASE get better player and a coach who know how to identify what need to be done
Here we go. We ought to go all in. Our season is on the line.
El Rey … if we are getting knocked out glad it was him
I only just started watching, but man that was a lovely Josef goal. Classic Josef poacher
I think Josef just killed our already lifeless season. Josef would be a very welcome addition to our squad.
Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve type of season.
Derrick Williams is def that guy who wanted to be a winger but he couldn’t finish in front of goal, so his coach moved him to fullback and he eventually found his way to center back lol.
Brooks defense against Josef on that goal 🤮
He also just got a yellow and will miss the next game. Maybe it’s for the best.
Dang Messi is good
Rios with the evenizer
This team is a bunch of shitty players. This coach keeps starting Rios..and was shitty before he got here..and continues to be a shit player.. guzan..is useless
MY KING!!! BUILD THE STATUE!!!!
I’m so glad that they didn’t go to VAR. Refs need to use their resources sometimes for straight-forward decisions like that one.
Channel your inner Thiago please
Dang, our club is dying. Looks 90% empty in the stadium…
This is also the most empty I have seen the supporters section
Going to be multi tasking tonight. Gonna have ATL on the big screen and Miami vs Columbus on the laptop. Fingers crossed that both are entertaining!
A home match I can’t go to? Does this mean I finally get to hear the local radio call in sync with the action?
OOHHHH JOSEF MARTIIIINEEZZZ!!
Agreed…….how ironic that the front office a year ago told Josef he was not apart of their plans for the future and since then tonight he has a 2nd opportunity to get another brace (or) at least a goal against us in another win for him against his former club while also potentially single handedly contributing to ending the slim mathematical hopes that some people have (not myself) of ATL UTD still making the playoffs this season as opposed to on FC 24. I expect ATL UTD to take another “L” tonight and think it could be a shutout unless Saba (or) someone else steps up to get us on the board. Oh yeah and to add insult to injury …..the very position (striker) that according to the front office no longer needed to be filled by Josef is still a glaring problem for consistency in what is a non-existent attack for ATL UTD.
Hope he gets a hat trick
I still say “Build the statue!”
My internal hope came true! Josef has scored more than all United players other than Saba this season.