CF Montreal won the hard way against Atlanta

Miller, with impressive footwork on the right side in the 82nd minute, could have a name Kamaldinho written on the back of his shirt that he would not have held against him. His cross found Joaquin Torres, who redirected him nicely to the visitor’s cage.

Like their first game of the season at Stade Saputo, the Montrealers quickly opened up scoring. From the fourth minute, Miller hit the target with a thundering header after a free kick from Djordje Mihailovic.

One would think that, like the Canadian the day before, CF Montreal wanted to reach ten goals for Guy Lafleur, whom we greeted with a moment of impeccable silence and to whom we would pay tribute in the 10th minute with blue-white-red smoke.

Instead, the visitors, like the Blond Demon back then, made an inspired ascent and threatened Sebastian Breza’s net. As if the Montreal midfielder could not get along, the boulevards opened up for designated player Thiago Almada, especially, whose shot from distance in the 19th minute just missed the target.

Two locals were booked in the first half, Rudy Camacho and Victor Wanyama-the latter will miss a visit to Orlando next Saturday. On each occasion, the ensuing free-kick resulted in a life-saving dive from Breza, first to his left to divert Almada’s attempt, then to frustrate Marcelino Moreno whose shot was dangerously close to the top. that corner.

Like the hosts in the first half, Atlanta hit early in the second period. A few hooks into the corner of the penalty area, and Marcelino Moreno was able to unleash a shot that caressed the post to Breza’s right, despite his dive, to then roll to the other side netting and create an equalizer.

Four minutes hadn’t passed since Atlanta’s goal that the Montrealers thought they would take the lead again. A corner kick nearly crossed the line by goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth, but Andrew Gutman made a last -second clearance.

Hardly in terms of play, the match between the Montreal midfielders became more complicated in terms of discipline midway through the second half. Ismaël Koné also received a warning that would give him a suspension against Orlando, as did Wanyama. Samuel Piette replaced Koné minutes later, and Quebecer will likely be part of the solution next Saturday.

Enthusiastic even before Miller’s goal, the visitors tried everything late in the game to find an equalizer, as they did in March in Atlanta against Montreal. But another intervention from Breza in the 90th minute allowed the stadium to breathe a little and celebrate, after a few minutes, three points won the hard way.