Match Recap: Atlanta United win 3-2 in season opener
A golazo by Mosquera and a brace by Latte Lath earn the 3 points
Atlanta United ran out a 3-2 win over CF Montreal Saturday night inside an energetic Mercedes Benz Stadium to open their 2025 MLS campaign.
Photo by Forrest Wimberly
Edwin Mosquera scored the eventual game-winner in the 84th minute as he ripped a shot between two Montreal defenders into the back-post upper 90 just past the reach of the goalkeeper’s fingertips. The buildup play was vintage Atlanta United soccer as the ball circulated across the field with several players providing key touches to put Mosquera into the box in such a promising scoring chance.
Emmanuel Latte Lath made good on his MLS debut by scoring a brace for Atlanta in some other vintage Five Stripes’ fashion. Club legend Josef Martinez scored goals like these previously for the club and the team finally looks to have found the right man up top to put the ball in the net.
Latte Lath scored his first goal in the 42nd minute as he climbed highest in the box on a corner kick and nodded the ball with authority in the nets. In the 63rd minute, Latte Lath scored his brace as he reacted first to a loose ball inside the Montreal box after a mix up on a cross. The Montreal defender and goalkeeper misplayed the cross and Latte Lath was first to pounce on the loose ball to punish the mistake. Both goals looked like vintage moments that Josef Martinez previously provided wearing the Five Stripes.
Photo by Forrest Wimberly
CF Montreal leveled the game twice in the 46th and 70th minute on some shaky Atlanta defending inside the box as the Five Stripes’ defenders lost their marks and left goalkeeper Brad Guzan exposed each occasion. The wide-open second half had 10 minutes of stoppage time added but Atlanta closed the deal and claimed the 3-2 win.
Atlanta is now 7-1-1 all-time in home openers and 6-1-1 all-time at home versus Montreal.
The ball circulation was very improved from 2024 and the team played with more freedom and flair than seen in recent seasons. Defensively the team is missing some key players, but the little things that haunted the team allowing two goals in the season opener can be corrected with just a few minor adjustments.
Atlanta travels to Charlotte on March 1 for a 2 PM kickoff in their next match.