Atlanta, GA
Atlanta United Advance to Face Inter Miami: Takeaways From MLS Eastern Conference Wild Card Match
Atlanta United avoided a total collapse to defeat CF Montréal 2–2 (5–4 on penalties) to advance out of the Eastern Conference Wild Card and set up an MLS Cup Playoffs Round One series with Inter Miami and Lionel Messi.
Montréal was on the front foot from the opening minute and managed to find pockets of space outside the Atlanta penalty area but didn’t really test 40-year-old Brad Guzan with a couple of tame efforts.
Totally against the run of play, the Five Stripes opened the scoring thanks to a brilliant cross from Pedro Amador to Brooks Lennon. Lennon—who was playing as a winger instead of a right-back—timed his run at the back post to perfection to latch on to Amador’s perfect cross to put the visitors in front. Jamal Thiaré nearly made the same run to the center of the box as Lennon headed home from close range.
Here’s the attacking momentum that shows how Atlanta scored after Montréal dominated the opening stages, courtesy of Sofascore.
The former Real Salt Lake player nearly doubled Atlanta’s lead just moments later. Instead of Amador, this time it was Saba Lobjanidze who squared an excellent cross into Lennon’s path right on the Montréal six-yard box. However, Lennon sent his effort flying over the bar on a chance he’d love to have back.
Montréal might’ve felt a bit of Déjà vu on the brink of halftime. Atlanta’s Jay Fortune won a free kick in dangerous area for his side to send in a cross, and that’s exactly what former Atalanta midfielder Alexey Miranchuk did to tee up Stian Gregersen. The Norwegian defender headed home’s Miranchuk’s cross to double Atlanta’s lead after Montréal attempted to equalize moments before.
A grave error from Guzan gave the hosts a lifeline back into the match. 2–0 is the most dangerous scoreline in soccer, after all. Guzan initially collected an incoming Montréal cross before spilling it into former teammate Josef Martínez’s path as the Venezuelan striker made no mistake right in front of the Atlanta goal to pull one back for Montréal.
The Five Stripes should’ve put the game away early late in the first half or even early in the second half and the missed chances only helped Montréal grow in confidence as the clock ticked on. Atlanta only brought more and more pressure on itself when the hosts won a penalty kick on the brink of stoppage time.
Martínez stepped up and slotted home the attempt from 12 yards out as Atlanta’s 2–0 lead vanished into thin air. The fans at Stade Saputo erupted into joy as the 31-year-old striker powered an effort pas this old teammate in Guzan to make it 2–2.
The two goals were Martínez’s seventh and eighth goals in his last six games and his fourth goal in his last two games against his former team.
It appeared as if Atlanta was going to throw away what looked a sure-fire win on the road in the postseason, but Guzan stepped up to cancel out his error. The former Aston Villa shot-stopper denied Tom Pearce during the shootout as Lobjanidze stepped up to fire home the winning attempt and secure Atlanta’s place in Round One against Miami.
Atlanta’s Saba Lobjanidze found himself with space down the left-hand side several times in the first half but didn’t do anything with the ball. Lobjanidze is a fine player but perhaps not one that should be starting week in and week out if Atlanta wants to lift MLS Cup. For example, at one point in the first half Lobjanidze tried to knock the ball past a pair of Montréal defenders down the sideline—he’s just not that kind of player.
Additionally Lobjanidze was presented with several chances where he should’ve fired an attempt on goal first-time or laid the ball off to a teammate. Instead, his poor decision making allowed Montréal back into the match and made things more difficult than it had to be for Atlanta.
On the opposite flank, Lennon had some decent moments on the ball, most notably the goal that put Atlanta up—which was the result of a great run by the American. However, in possession, Lennon still leaves a lot to be desired at times when most of his attacking movements end with a cross sailing over everyone’s head.
However, Atlanta has a pair of Designated Player slots available for this coming winter transfer window. If Atlanta hopes to compete in 2025 with a new head coach, it must bring in a DP-level striker and left-or-right winger to fill out the frontline.
The Canadian club has no shortage of young, talented players on its books that could be very important players in the seasons to come. Caden Clark, Bryce Duke, Nathan Saliba, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty and Fernando Álvarez are all exception players right now that could take Montréal to the next level with some fresh signings in the upcoming transfer window.
For example, bringing in an experienced defender to play in Laurent Courtois’ back three would do wonders to cut down on the 64 goals conceded in the regular season. While Martínez is still a quality striker alongside Matías Cóccaro, Montréal should really look to bring in a Designated Player striker and defensive midfielder—former Tottenham Hotspur player Victor Wanyama is the only DP on the roster and he’s played a grand total of 402 minutes in 2024.
Courtois worked under former Montréal boss and current head coach of the reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew in the second team setup and his playing style reflects that with his 3-4-2-1 setup. If Courtois is to be a success at Montréal like Nancy has been in Columbus, he’s going to need some help in the transfer window with his own Darlington Nagbe and Cucho Hernández.
It’s a bit strange given Atlanta historically has preferred to play with the ball, but the team has looked much better in transition than when in possession for most of the second half of the 2024 season. Of course, this was accelerated by the departures of Thiago Almada, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Caleb Wiley over the summer along with the firing of coach Gonzalo Pineda, but the team has proven to be a solid counter-attacking side when away from home.
This would explain why Atlanta dropped the ball against Nashville SC back in September when the team had 55% possession but failed to do much despite dominating possession. However, away from home in the Wild Card match, Atlanta didn’t see much of the ball with just 33% possession but proved to be somewhat clinical with its chances.
Atlanta’s inability to put the game away in this match will likely rear its ugly head again in the next round against Miami where the likes of Messi and Luis Suárez will make you pay for missed chances. However, it still generated quality chances on the break and that could be key in Round One—if Atlanta’s forwards can be a little more clinical.
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The public is getting its first look at the two pandas that will be heading from China to Zoo Atlanta.
NBC’s Janis Mackey Frayer was able to visit female Fu Shuang and male Ping Ping before they make the nearly 8,000-mile flight. The giant pandas are both 6 years old and are headed to the United States as part of a new decade-long conservation agreement between China and the U.S.
Ping Ping’s keepers say he tends to follow them around, which is atypical behavior for a panda, but may be because of the food they have for him. Fu Shuang — which translates to “double happiness” — is playful, but nervous, and enjoys placing her chin on her paw. She also likes apples and has a penchant for finding them.
“Because we will hide pieces of apples, for example under the tree … she can find them everywhere,” panda keeper Wang Shun told Mackey Frayer, noting her “clever” behavior.
The pandas are part of an international cooperative research agreement on giant panda conservation between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, a renewal of panda diplomacy between America and China that began in 1972.
“Zoo Atlanta is delighted and honored to yet again be trusted as stewards of this treasured species and to partner with the China Wildlife Conservation Association on the continued conservation and research efforts that are the most important outcomes of this cooperation,” Zoo Atlanta President and CEO Raymond B. King said in a statement in April.
“We can’t wait to meet Ping Ping and Fu Shuang and to welcome our Members, guests, city, and community back to the wonder and joy of giant pandas.”
Pandas are already at zoos in Washington, D.C., and San Diego. Zoo Atlanta maintained a panda agreement with China from 1999 until 2024, when Lun Lun and Yang Yang went back to their home country, along with their two youngest cubs.
Animal behaviorist James Ayala marvels at how pandas mature.
“You see cubs and they seem so cuddly and clumsy and cute. And then they grow up into these big, majestic bears,” he told Mackey Frayer.
Fu Shuang and Ping Ping will be transported further south into a mountainous region where they will be prepped to make the trip to the U.S. It is unknown when they will leave.
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Soccer fever took over The Battery Atlanta on Thursday as fans gathered outside Truist Park for a rare chance to see the FIFA World Cup trophy in person.
Children kicked soccer balls across the plaza while crowds counted down to the dramatic reveal of the iconic trophy, widely considered the most coveted prize in international sports.
The appearance marked the first public viewing of the FIFA World Cup trophy in Atlanta.
“It’s the real trophy,” said fan Abdulrahman Dwead. “Nobody is allowed to touch the actual trophy unless you won it or are the president of FIFA. So, me standing beside that cup, that’s an honor to me.”
The trophy stop carried extra significance because Atlanta is one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Local fans said the event gave them a deeper sense of excitement ahead of the tournament.
“It’s the greatest feeling in the world,” said Melissa Richardson. “It’s something that doesn’t happen often and to be here in this moment is very important to me.”
The trophy was displayed outside the ballpark before moving inside Monument Garden during Thursday night’s Braves game, allowing ticket holders another opportunity to see the historic prize.
Organizers said the event gave thousands of fans a rare chance to experience a piece of soccer history in Atlanta.
“I’m so happy that Atlanta will host eight games,” Dwead said. “I’ve been here in Atlanta for almost 14 years and I love Atlanta so much.”
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
The Atlanta Dream are undefeated heading into their home opener and still finding ways to improve their roster.
The Dream announced Wednesday the signing of forward Amy Okonkwo to a developmental contract. It’s the latest roster move for an Atlanta team that is 2-0 and gearing up to play Sunday against the defending champion, Las Vegas Aces.
Okonkwo brings an impressive résumé despite her young career.
She most recently attended training camp with the Dallas Wings ahead of the 2026 season and appeared in eight games with Dallas during the 2025 WNBA season, averaging 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game while shooting better than 60 percent from the field. She recorded a career-high 20 points against Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025, and made history as the first undrafted player since 2000 to average 10 or more points while shooting 60 percent or better through her first two WNBA games.
Her international résumé is equally impressive. Okonkwo has earned back-to-back FIBA Women’s AfroBasket MVP honors in 2023 and 2025 while helping Nigeria’s national team capture consecutive gold medals. Collegiately, she played at USC before finishing her career at TCU, where she earned 2018 Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year honors.
Okonkwo joins a 12-player roster that includes Naz Hillmon, Te-Hina Paopao, Jordin Canada, Angel Reese, Aaliyah Nye, Rhyne Howard, Madina Okot, Allisha Gray, Isobel Borlase, Indya Nivar, Sika Kone and Brionna Jones.
The signing caps a busy stretch of roster moves for Atlanta.
Earlier this month, the Dream claimed guard Aaliyah Nye off waivers after she was selected by the expansion Toronto Tempo in the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft and subsequently waived on May 7. Nye brings championship pedigree to Atlanta, having been a member of the 2025 WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces as a rookie, appearing in all 44 regular season games and finishing fourth among franchise rookies in made three-pointers with 37.
A guard out of the University of Alabama, Nye is one of the sharper shooters in the league. She finished her college career with 389 three-pointers across stops at Alabama and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, shooting 40.9 percent from beyond the arc. In her final season with the Crimson Tide, she earned Second Team All-SEC honors after averaging 15.2 points per game and setting the program’s single-season record with 111 made three-pointers.
To make room for Nye, the Dream waived guard Holly Winterburn, a move that came with an emotional cost. Winterburn, a Northampton, England native who went undrafted in 2025 before signing with Atlanta as a free agent, said she learned she had been cut just before boarding the bus for the team’s first game of the season on May 9.
“I thought my welcome to the W moment would happen on the court, not as I’m getting on the bus for my first ever game,” Winterburn wrote on Instagram. “But that’s the reality of this business and I will always be grateful for the opportunity Atlanta gave me. I’m built for this.”
Winterburn did not stay without a job for long. The Portland Fire signed her to a developmental contract shortly after her release.
After Tuesday’s road win in Dallas, the Dream return home Sunday to face the defending champion Las Vegas Aces at 1:30 p.m. at State Farm Arena.
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