In a game that both head coaches previewed as “cup finals,” neither team played a cup-winning performance.
In its return to MLS play, Atlanta United managed to grab a 1-1 draw at CF Montreal that doesn’t feel much better than a loss at this point in the season.
The point leaves the Five Stripes in 13th place in the Eastern Conference with 22 points in 25 games and a 4-11-10 record. It now has just nine games to make up a 14-point difference between itself and Chicago Fire in the 9th and final playoff position.
Head Coach Ronny Deila returned to the lineup that fell 3-2 vs Pumas UNAM in Leagues Cup just a week ago. Designated players Emmanuel Latte Lath and Miguel Almiron returned to the XI after resting midweek. The bench featured the team’s two newest signings, center back Juan Berrocal and midfielder Steven Alzate, who received their visas in the 24-48 hours before the match.
The Five Stripes began positively, but saw their control waning as the first half went on. Despite creating a wealth of chances early on, it was Montreal that found the net first after a Prince Owusu played a perfect through ball to Caden Clark, who served it up on a platter for Dante Sealy to finish with a shot into the bottom corner.
Atlanta struggled again early in the second half, but battled back and managed an equalizer in the 87th minute when Alexey Miranchuk headed home from a corner kick to score his fifth goal in seven matches across all competitions.
Despite plenty of insistence on a winner at the end of the match, the Five Stripes couldn’t find one and had to settle for a point in what was probably its best remaining chance at a road win this season.
While the result was nothing to be excited about, the sneak peek at new signings Berrocal and Alzate can give fans something to look forward to ahead of a visit to Noah Cobb and the Colorado Rapids next weekend.
Berrocal looked solid on defense, doing a good job of tracking and cutting off passing options around the box. He also played a very neat ball into the box that resulted in a shot. It seems that the new center back pairing of Berrocal and Mihaj will provide many such balls going forward.
Alzate only got a few minutes at the end, but he had a very interesting line-breaking pass into the box that leaves a mostly positive first impression. He didn’t really exhibit the “destroyer” type of midfielder that he was theoretically brought in to be, but perhaps he’ll look more like it in time.
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Wingbacks! My kingdom for 2 wingbacks. I’ll settle for 1 great one, but until that happens we’re one dimensional in the attack. Allows opposing Ds to anchor down the middle with little threat from our WBs.