Atlanta United entered Wednesday night’s clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium knowing the stakes: three points were crucial to keep their 2024 MLS Cup Playoff hopes alive. But former Atlanta legend Josef Martínez had other plans. In his long-awaited return, Martínez delivered a stunning brace to lead CF Montréal to a 2-1 victory, dampening Atlanta’s postseason ambitions.
Despite the loss, Atlanta United’s playoff dreams aren’t dead yet, but they’ve become significantly tougher with just two matches left in the season. Montréal, meanwhile, leapfrogs into a stronger playoff position in the Eastern Conference standings, capitalizing on the win.
Center back Derrick Williams summed up the night’s frustration perfectly: “Tonight kind of sums up the whole season—missing chances, missing goals. Goals change games, and we just didn’t deliver.”
Atlanta found a brief spark right before halftime when Daniel Ríos headed home a perfectly placed cross from Pedro Amador. The sequence, starting from a beautiful string of passes, leveled the match 1-1 in stoppage time of the first half. The goal marked Ríos’ seventh of the season, while Amador notched his third assist. Williams was also credited with his first assist in an Atlanta United kit.
But as electric as that moment was, the night belonged to Josef Martínez. The former Atlanta icon reminded everyone why he’s still one of the deadliest strikers in MLS. His first strike came in the 43rd minute when he coolly brought down a free kick, passed it off, and got it back inside the box, where he spun and slotted it past Brad Guzan—one of his many former teammates.
Martínez wasn’t done. In the 76th minute, he slid into the near post to tap in a lightning-quick cross from Tom Pearce, sealing Montréal’s 2-1 lead and breaking Atlanta hearts. True to his character, Josef chose not to celebrate, showing respect for the fans who had cheered him on for six seasons and watched him bring home the MLS Cup in 2018.
Atlanta United had their chances, no doubt. Early in the game, Ríos created a 1v1 opportunity, but Montréal’s keeper Jonathan Sirois was up to the task. Saba Lobjanidze, Atlanta’s top scorer this season, was inches away from finding the net multiple times. His best opportunity came in the 59th minute when his strike pinged off the post, leaving Atlanta fans gasping.
“We shouldn’t have been down tonight, but it was also nothing in the game. The first half was dead,” said interim head coach Rob Valentino, reflecting the frustration of a team that just couldn’t capitalize on their chances.
Despite finishing the match with more shots (13) and nearly equal possession, Atlanta lacked the clinical finishing they needed.
With two matches remaining, Atlanta’s playoff chances hang by a thread. The team will need to regroup quickly and find a way to convert their opportunities into points if they hope to secure a spot in the postseason.
“We’ll keep fighting for the fans,” said Ríos post-match. “We haven’t delivered this year, but we’ll keep pushing.”
As Atlanta United gears up for their final matches, the energy in the city remains high. Soccer is more than just a sport here—it’s a movement, a culture. And while the road to the playoffs looks rocky, Atlanta fans know better than to count their team out just yet.
*Stay tuned, Atlanta—the fight isn’t over.*
