Saturday’s match will be the start of three matches in eight days for Atlanta United as the team travels to Canada to take on CF Montréal. Atlanta is coming off an impressive 2-0 victory at home against Philadelphia last weekend, while Montréal dropped a 1-0 home decision to NYCFC. Atlanta enters the match in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, six points ahead of Montréal who sits in the ninth and final playoff spot. The 5-Stripes are only three points back from fourth place in the crowded East standings. In order to reach that top four spot, the team will have to get more points on the road in this second half of the season. Let’s take a closer look at the Tools to the Match presented by The Home Depot against CF Montréal.
Continue creating chances in attack
Atlanta’s attack was outstanding once again in the win vs. Philadelphia last weekend. Despite top scorer Giorgos Giakoumakis’ first half injury, Atlanta still created nine chances overall and had control of the match from start to finish. Thiago Almada played at the level fans in Atlanta have grown accustomed to this season, as he scored the first goal and set up the second to close out the match.
Almada created five chances and was buzzing all over the pitch. It marked the fourth time he created five or more chances in a match this season, the most such games in MLS this year. Atlanta has also done a good job of converting the high quality chances that it is creating. The team ranks third in MLS converting 54.1% of the high quality chances it has created. They will need to be clinical in front of goal again on Saturday against a tough Montréal defense.
Find a way through Montréal’s stellar defensive line
While Montréal’s attack has produced just 20 goals in 20 matches this season, the backline has been in outstanding form coming into this match. Over the last four matches, Montréal has posted three clean sheets and conceded just one goal in those matches combined, the best mark in the league. Playing mostly in a back three/five setup, Montréal’s defense is anchored by veteran defenders like Rudy Camacho and Joel Waterman. Ahead of them, long-time veteran Victor Wanyama patrols the defensive midfield for Montréal to provide a solid base through the middle. Former Atlanta United defender George Campbell has also been seeing time in the back three setup.
Montréal’s attack has been spread out across multiple players with five players scoring two or more goals to lead the team. Atlanta’s backline, which allowed only one shot on target, will look for a repeat performance this weekend.
Keep defensive solidity regardless of tactical setup
Atlanta’s backline had one of its best defensive efforts last time out against Philadelphia. The team allowed only one shot on target, including none in the second half. The team also posted a franchise-best nine blocked shots. Blocking shots, blocking crosses has been a point of emphasis and the team performed well in that category last weekend. They will look for a repeat performance on Saturday at Montréal. Regardless of which tactical setup head coach Gonzalo Pineda chooses, Atlanta’s defense needs to keep the solidity that it displayed last time out. If the backline can hold Montréal to a low shot on target total again, that will help the team bring home three road points.
Fans can tune in nationally on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app on Saturday at 7:30pm ET when the action kicks off at Stade Saputo. To hear the action on radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).
