Atlanta United FC kicked off their 2025 MLS season with a thrilling 3-2 victory against CF Montreal at home, showcasing their determination right from the outset.
The night of February 22 witnessed two teams battling it out on the pitch, but it was Atlanta who managed to capitalize on their home advantage, thanks to the timely scoring from their key players. Emmanuel Latte Lath emerged as the star for Atlanta, netting two goals, with Edwin Mosquera contributing the third.
On the other side, Montreal wasn't far behind. Nathan-Dylan Saliba and Prince Owusu found the back of the net to keep the game competitive, but it wasn't enough to secure points from this tightly contested opener.
Russian midfielder Alexey Miranchuk made headlines by starting the match and playing the full duration, marking his presence significantly on the field. His performance will undoubtedly be monitored as Atlanta aims to build on this promising start.
Last season, Atlanta United faced several challenges, finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference standings with 40 points, just scraping through to the playoffs. Following their playoff path, they outlasted Montreal on penalties during the wild card round, giving them some confidence going forward. This time around, coach Gonzalo Pineda hopes to guide his squad far beyond their previous limitations.
The friendly matches leading up to the season saw Atlanta United participating vigorously, securing three victories out of five. Their most recent encounter prior to the regular season was also a win against FC Dallas, giving the squad both momentum and morale.
With the new season here, Atlanta players and staff are expectant of delivering entertaining football and returning to the playoff positions they are historically accustomed to.
On the flip side, CF Montreal, who finished eighth last season with 43 points, is also putting up serious aspirations as evidenced by their solid off-season games, including their recent 3-1 victory over Tampa Bay. Montreal's form had shown promise, but they failed to translate any of it effectively during their match against Atlanta.
A key ingredient for success for both teams this season will be their ability to refine and adapt their strategies after each match. With high expectations from their fans, both squads are ready to offer competitive matchups week after week.
Atlanta's next challenge will take them on the road to face Charlotte FC on March 1, where they will look to carry forward the momentum gained from the opening match.
For now, the focus remains on the return to the pitch for Atlanta United, who take pride not only as the favorites for the season but also as contenders aiming for the MLS Cup.
The Atlanta faithful can certainly jubilate over this glorious start. The victory over Montreal paints not only the beginning of hope but more so, the path to redemption after last season’s struggles. Can Atlanta maintain this form and structure throughout the season? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the excitement is back!