Atlanta United escape with draw at Montreal

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:05 am

Atlanta United rallied for a draw but saw their winless streak hit 12 games with a 2-2 result against host CF Montreal on Wednesday.

Marcelino Moreno converted a penalty kick in the 76th minute to pull the visitors level in a game that ended with Montreal having nine players on the field and Atlanta having 10.

Atlanta (2-6-9, 15 points), which overcame a 2-0 deficit, is 0-5-7 during its current run.

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Montreal (6-6-5, 23 points) earned a point for the first time in four matches while also extending its winless streak to four games.

Montreal enjoyed an extended stretch in the attacking third in the third minute but couldn't capitalize. Djordje Mihailovic was wide open at the left side of the box, but his shot hit an Atlanta defender.

In the sixth minute, Moreno's attempt was blocked by a Montreal defender. In the 10th minute, Moreno tried to finish a give-and-go with Josef Martinez with an attempt from in close in the box, only to be denied by goalkeeper James Pantemis.

Montreal was finally able to generate some pressure on the attack in the 41st minute but was again unable to find the back of the net, with some quick passing leading to Victor Wanyama's shot deflecting over the net.

Mason Toye gave Montreal a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute. Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan's clearing attempt went to Montreal defender Kamal Miller, who dished off to Joaquin Torres, who fed it to Toye.

Rudy Camacho put the home side up 2-0 in the 63rd minute when he was left alone at the top of the goalmouth.

Atlanta quickly responded, with Martinez taking a cross from Ezequiel Barco and sending it by Pantemis in the 65th minute to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Eleven minutes later, Moreno tied it 2-2 on a penalty kick after Camacho was assessed a red card for taking down Martinez.

Tempers started to flare between Wanyama and Martinez in the 79th minute following a Pantemis save on a shot from the latter. Both were assessed red cards.

Zachary Brault-Guillard came within inches getting the win for Montreal in the 89th minute, blocking a shot and speeding down the right side before taking a shot from the box that hit the crossbar.