Atlanta United kicked off their 2025 MLS season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over CF Montréal on Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, showcasing new signing Emmanuel Latte Lath’s remarkable debut.
The match was electrifying, marked by Latte Lath scoring two goals, making him the first player in club history to achieve such a feat on debut. The former Middlesbrough forward, acquired for a record $22 million, opened the scoring just before halftime, heading home a corner kick from Saba Lobjanidze.
Despite Atlanta’s strong start, Montréal quickly leveled the score after Nathan Saliba connected with Prince Owusu’s cross just two minutes after the break. The back-and-forth contest continued as Latte Lath pounced on a mishandled ball by Montréal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois to restore Atlanta’s lead at 2-1.
“I came here with ambition. So I’m really happy for the team,” Latte Lath said after the match, reflecting on the positive beginning to his MLS career.
Montreal wasn’t done yet, though, as Prince Owusu netted their second equalizer after connecting with George Campbell’s back-post header from a corner kick. With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Atlanta struck again late. Edwin Mosquera, who entered as a substitute, scored the game-winner in the 85th minute, expertly curling his shot past Sirois.
“There’s going to be points in this game where it’s not going to be perfect for us, and it’s certainly probably longer stretches than we would have liked,” commented Atlanta’s goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Head coach Ronny Deila praised the team’s perseverance: “Learn from experience, and we learn with winning, and I think that's more fun, more easy.”
The match attracted over 65,520 fans, one of the highest attendances for an MLS regular-season game, reflecting the passionate support Atlanta United enjoys. Deila highlighted the significant impact of his new players, with Latte Lath being accompanied by other acquisitions, including Miguel Almirón, who also returned to the club after leaving for the English Premier League.
Atlanta United dominated the first half with nine shots, but they faced challenges managing Montréal's attacks as the match progressed. The defensive lapses seen throughout previous seasons resurfaced, causing concern for Deila.
Latte Lath's debut performance is particularly notable. He demonstrated exceptional speed and anticipation, making impactful plays leading to scoring opportunities. Early on, he tested Sirois with a powerful shot only minutes after the opening whistle, and he later made his way onto the scoresheet with effective positioning during set pieces.
The game also marked historic milestones for some players. Almirón recorded his 50th goal contribution for the club with the assist on Mosquera’s decisive goal, elevifying his status to fourth place all-time for Atlanta United. Meanwhile, Guzan celebrated his 200th appearance, becoming the first player to reach this milestone for the club.
“I’m really happy to come back and play here,” Almirón noted, expressing his joy to return to Atlanta soccer.
The action-packed match offered fans glimpses of the new era under Deila, who emphasized the team's offensive strategy and explosiveness, which could bring Atlanta United back to its previous glory.
The Three Stripes now look forward to their next match against Charlotte FC on March 1st, where they aim to build on this momentum. At the same time, CF Montréal must regroup before facing Minnesota United on the same day.
With Latte Lath and the ensemble of new and returning talent, Atlanta United's season kickoff has set the stage for what could be another thrilling season of Major League Soccer.