Atlanta United and CF Montréal Seek to Extend Rare Winning Streaks in Eastern Conference Clash

Key facts

• Atlanta United (2-1-7, 7 points) host CF Montréal (3-0-6, 9 points) on May 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
• Atlanta has won back-to-back road games for the first time since 2019, beating Toronto FC 2-1 and Charlotte FC 2-0 in the Open Cup.
• Montréal has also won two straight, defeating New York City FC 1-0 and New York Red Bulls 4-1, both at home.
• Prince-Osei Owusu leads Montréal with 6 goals and 4 assists in 9 matches; Emmanuel Latte Lath has 1 goal and 2 assists for Atlanta.
• Atlanta captain Miguel Almirón is questionable with a knee injury; Cayman Togashi (ankle) and Sergio Santos (calf) are also questionable.
• Montréal's Wikelman Carmona (3 goals, 1 assist) is questionable with an ankle injury after missing the last two games.
• Atlanta is 4-0-1 when scoring at least two goals in all competitions, and 0-1-6 when failing to do so.
• Montréal has been outscored 17-4 in five road games, with their only road win coming at Red Bulls in March.

Two Teams Finding Their Footing

Two struggling MLS sides will meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, each riding a rare two-game winning streak. Atlanta United, sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference with 7 points from 10 matches, hosts CF Montréal, who occupy 9th place with 9 points. Both teams have endured rocky starts to the season, but recent results have injected a measure of optimism into their respective camps. Atlanta's head coach Tata Martino, speaking after the club's second consecutive road victory, emphasized determination over celebration. "We want to prolong this good moment that we're having," Martino said, reflecting a focus on sustaining momentum rather than resting on past achievements.

Atlanta's Youth Movement Takes Charge

The 5-Stripes' recent success has been driven by a cadre of homegrown players who have stepped into key roles. Midfielders Cooper Sanchez, 18, Will Reilly, 23, and Jay Fortune, 23, have anchored the center of the park over the past two matches. Martino, asked if seeing their growth felt like a proud-father moment, replied with a smile, "Almost a grandfather. I like when there's a group of young players who feel that. They take the responsibility, they're brave, they want to do well for the club to help the club." Reilly's performance in the midweek U.S. Open Cup win against Charlotte FC included a symbolic moment in the 63rd minute. After captain Alexey Miranchuk was substituted, he passed the armband to Emmanuel Latte Lath, who immediately handed it to Reilly. "I was super surprised, I was not expecting it," Reilly said. "Manu just came over and tossed it to me. I thought he was passing me a note, but it was the armband. It was super cool." Reilly played a complete match at defensive midfield, breaking up attacks and circulating possession.

Injury Updates Offer Hope for Both Sides

Atlanta may see the return of key players after a stretch of absences. Captain Miguel Almirón is questionable with a knee issue, while Cayman Togashi (ankle) and Sergio Santos (calf) are also listed as questionable. Steven Alzate remains out recovering from an adductor injury. With the final two home matches before the World Cup break approaching, the team is optimistic about getting healthier. Montréal faces its own injury concerns: Wikelman Carmona, who has three goals and one assist this season, is questionable with an ankle injury after missing the last two matches. His potential return could bolster an attack that otherwise relies heavily on Prince-Osei Owusu.

Statistical Trends Favor Atlanta's Attack

Atlanta's formula for success has been clear: when they score at least two goals, they are 4-0-1 in all competitions; when they fail to do so, they are 0-1-6. The hosts have scored exactly two goals in each of their last two wins. Montréal, meanwhile, has struggled on the road, going winless in five away matches and being outscored 17-4. Their only road victory came at Red Bulls in March. Oddsmakers expect goals: the over/under is set at 3.5, with the over juiced at -135. Both Teams to Score – Yes is priced at -165. Prince-Osei Owusu (+160 to score) leads Montréal's attack with six goals and four assists. For Atlanta, Emmanuel Latte Lath (+170) and Cayman Togashi (+170) have the shortest odds, though Lath has just one goal in 836 minutes and Togashi has none in 60 MLS minutes. Alexey Miranchuk (+175) may be a better bet, with five goals in 756 minutes.

Long-Term Struggles and a Glimmer of Hope

Atlanta United's current position is a far cry from the club's early years, when they finished fourth or better in each of their first three seasons and won the MLS Cup in 2018. Since then, they have finished 20th or worse in four of the last five seasons. Their odds to win the Eastern Conference this year are 65-1. Yet the back-to-back road wins, the first such streak since 2019, suggest a possible turning point. Montréal's narrative mirrors Atlanta's: a slow start followed by consecutive victories, though both wins came at home. The visitors have beaten up on the Red Bulls this season, scoring seven goals in two wins, but have otherwise struggled to generate offense away from home.

What to Expect on Saturday

Both teams enter with confidence, but Atlanta's home advantage and deeper attacking options may prove decisive. If the hosts can neutralize Owusu, Montréal's attack lacks alternative threats. Carmona's status will be crucial; without him, the visitors have few players with more than one goal. A 3-1 scoreline in favor of Atlanta is a plausible outcome, according to analysts. Reilly summed up the mood in Atlanta's camp: "There's definitely belief in the process, and we're still a long way off from the ultimate goal of how we want to be playing, but it's on the right track." For Montréal, the challenge is to translate home form into road success.

The bottom line

• Atlanta United and CF Montréal each carry two-game winning streaks into Saturday's match, but both have struggled overall this season.
• Atlanta's young homegrown players, particularly Will Reilly, have been instrumental in the recent wins.
• Injuries to key players like Miguel Almirón and Wikelman Carmona could influence the outcome.
• Atlanta is unbeaten when scoring at least two goals; Montréal has been poor on the road, conceding 17 goals in five away games.
• Prince-Osei Owusu is Montréal's primary offensive threat, while Atlanta's attack is more distributed.
• The match represents a chance for either team to build momentum before the World Cup break.