Match Preview: CF Montréal vs. Atlanta United

Atlanta United makes its fourth road trip of the month on Saturday when the club travels north of the border to take on CF Montréal. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET. 

Here’s how to watch, listen and live stream the match. 

It’s been a challenging month in terms of travel and results. During April, the team has made four road trips and played five matches away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta United has earned a result in two of the four MLS meetings. And, apart from the six-goal performance in U.S. Open Cup competition on April 20, the team has scored two goals this month.  

Additionally, Atlanta United is also missing several first team starters due to injury. On Wednesday, the club announced that three players – goalkeepers Brad Guzan and Dylan Castanheira as well as midfielder Ozzie Alonso – were placed on the season-ending injury list. The team has also been without Josef Martínez, who underwent surgery on his knee at the start of April and was expected to miss 6-8 weeks.  

Still, the club is in a good place sitting in fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. Someone who could help the team is Luiz Araújo. The forward has played minutes in the previous three matches after missing several weeks due to injury. Araújo is a flashy, speedy attacker who scored the team’s first goal of the season. He also had four goals and four assists in 15 appearances for Atlanta United in 2021.  

On Thursday, Araújo spoke with the media. He appeared confident and eager to help the team climb out of its scoring drought.  

“I think you guys will see a different version of Luiz Araújo,” he said. “One who can give his best, help this team, score goals and show what I can do.”

Matchday Conditions 

The conditions in Canada are expected to be quite different than the sunshine seen in Atlanta at the end of the week. The forecast at Stade Saputo at kickoff is cloudy and windy with temperatures around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Traveling to the match? We've got everything you need from places to visit, dining and what conditions to expect at kickoff in our new Traveling Supporters Guide presented by 76.

About The Opponent 

CF Montréal is an Eastern Conference opponent based in Canada. It’s the third Canadian team in MLS, along with Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The club was founded in 2010 under the name Montreal Impact and began play in 2012. In 2021, the club rebranded to CF Montréal. 

Along with MLS, CF Montréal competes in the Canadian championship, which includes the three MLS teams in Canada plus 10 clubs in other Canadian professional leagues. Montréal CF has won the Voyageurs Cup five times, most recently in 2021, trailing only Toronto FC for the most Canadian Champions titles (7).  

The team plays its home matches at Stade Saputo, a soccer-specific stadium with a field made of natural grass where Saturday’s match will take place. CF Montréal is the only MLS club website written primarily in French. The club’s main colors are dark blue, black and white.  

The club has had eight managers in its 11-year history. The team is now managed by Wilfried Nancy, a former French professional player. He joined the club last year, and it’s his first managerial experience. 

Series History 

Atlanta United and CF Montréal have met 10 times, and Atlanta United owns the all-time series 5-2-3. The 5-Stripes have won all four meetings at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Montréal has never earned a point in Atlanta.  

The last meeting between the two sides was earlier this season on March 19. Atlanta United was the home side and gave up three goals in the first half to Montréal. However, the team rallied with two late goals from Thiago Almada and Brooks Lennon to finish a thrilling comeback and earn a result at home.  

The comeback was part of Atlanta United’s three-match stretch when it changed the results in the final minutes. The team also scored stoppage time goals against Charlotte FC on March 13 and D.C. United on April 2. 

“I expect this game against Montréal is going to be way different compared to the tactics or the time of game we’re going to have in front,” head coach Gonzalo Pineda said.

So Far in 2022 

Atlanta United heads into the match on Saturday with 11 points in the table and a 3-3-2 record. The club is looking to earn its second road result of the season and turn things around after earning one result and scoring one goal in the previous three matches. 

The club has at times outplayed its opponents on paper, especially with chances created. Coming into this weekend’s match, the club is tied for second in key passes (84) and has crossed the ball 52 times in its last two MLS matches. 

And when it comes to scoring goals this season, Atlanta has gotten help from a variety of players. Nine different 5-Stripes have found the back of the net. The latest member to score was Ronaldo Cisneros. The striker joined the club in March on loan from Chivas, and his goal last week against Inter Miami CF was his first career in MLS.

CF Montréal meanwhile has stacked wins and looked like one of the strongest clubs in the Eastern Conference as of late. The club earned all 11 of its points in the table in the last five matches, going unbeaten in that span. Last week, Montréal played the first-place team in the standings, Philadelphia Union, to a 1-1 draw thanks to the equalizer from striker Kei Kamara.

Players To Watch 

Djordje Mihailovic – The attacking midfielder joined CF Montréal in a trade with the Chicago Fire back in 2021. Last season with Montréal, Mihailovic tallied the second-most assists in the MLS (16), and the 23-year-old has carried over his playmaking to 2022. So far this season, Mihailovic is playing at an MVP caliber-level. He has four goals, converting half of his shots on target, and three assists.

Ronaldo Cisneros – The striker last week scored his first career MLS goal, but Cisneros also adds an extra wrinkle to Atlanta United as a player who doesn’t give up on the ball. Last week against Inter Miami, Cisneros doubled back to help the backline and made a clearance late in the match. His work ethic stands out to Pineda, and he hopes for Cisneros to stay involved in attacking chances. 

Additional Notes 

• Atlanta United will be wearing the Forest Kit on Saturday.