Atlanta United visit CF Montreal on Wednesday in a virtual playoff elimination game between the clubs at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta (7-15-6, 27 points) is in 14th place in the East, with nine points and four other teams sitting between the Five Stripes and ninth-place FC Cincinnati for the final playoff spot. Last-place Montreal (6-16-6, 24 points) is in more dire straits, 12 points out of the picture.
With only six regular-season matches remaining, a loss or draw for either club would likely be enough to wipe out any faint chance of a late surge to the postseason.
“Each game that we still have to play to the end of the season will be a very, very important game for us,” Montreal interim coach Philippe Eullaffroy said. “Either if we qualify for the playoffs or not, this is for us a good opportunity to win, to compete and to show … the fans that we’re a good team.”
CF Montreal are 1-6-1 in their last eight matches, including a devastating 2-1 loss to Toronto on Saturday. Montreal took a 1-0 lead into second-half stoppage time, but left without even one point after Toronto scored two dramatic late goals.
A three-match winning streak in August sparked some hope that the Five Stripes’ roster overhaul in the transfer window was paying dividends. Since those three wins, however, Atlanta has gone 1-3-3, including Saturday’s 3-1 home loss to Cincinnati.
Atlanta United remain last in MLS with 33 goals, though 16 of those tallies have come in their last 11 matches.
“It’s more about having more time to get to know the players who we’re working with,” said midfielder Giuliano Galoppo, via a translator. “We’ve been together for a month now at most so it’s still new players who are learning to play together. But. I think over time those connections will continue to improve.”
Atlanta’s Tomas Jacob and Montreal’s Brayan Vera will each miss the match, as the two defenders are serving a suspension for yellow-card accumulation.
Montreal striker Prince Owusu has 15 goals, tied for seventh in MLS.
Aleksey Miranchuk leads Atlanta United with six goals, and shares the team lead in assists with Miguel Almiron (seven apiece).
The Five Stripes recorded a 3-1 win over CF Montreal in Atlanta on May.
–Field Level Media
