Atlanta United Paraguyan midfielder Matias Galarza hugged teammate Saba Lobjanidze like one would hug a loved one: tightly with eyes closed. It meant something to be in that moment and Galarza was savoring it. The moment in question: Atlanta United was back. Atlanta United star Saba Lobjanidze ( above) scored two goals during the match against CF Montréal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday May 2, 2026. It was the third consecutive victory for Atlanta United. Photo by Javi Morales/Atlant United) Lobjanidze had just scored his second goal of the match during the 50th minute. A goal that gave Atlanta United a 3-1 lead over visiting CF Montreal. A goal that would ultimately seal the win for the home team. Atlanta United and CF Montreal have had some interesting meetings at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the past. Think back to the season opener on February 22, 2025, when Emmanuel Latte Lath scored a brace, the stadium was packed with fans, and The Five Stripes not only won the match 3-2, but had so much hope. Alas, that was two seasons ago, a lifetime in professional sports. Atlanta United returned to their personal house of horrors on Saturday night to face CF Montreal. Both teams are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings at the moment. The last time Atlanta United and manager Tata Martino were in Atlanta, the boos were raining down from fans inside a half-empty stadium. Atlanta United manager Tata Martino (above) said the team owed it to the fans to win at home. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlantra Voice This time was different. The fans were cheering as Atlanta United left the field. “The team owed it to the fans,” said Martino after the game. “We talked about it before the game.” The Five Stripes were winners of two games in a row following a 2-1 victory in Toronto last Saturday, and a 2-0 victory over Charlotte in North Carolina during a U.S. Open Cup match on Tuesday, April 28. Atlanta United midfielder Tristan Muyumba (above) dribbles the ball during the match against CF Montréal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, May 2. Muyumba started the match and has had a steady and positive impact on the team this season. Photo by Matthew Dingle/Atlanta United The win streak improved to three games following the 3-1 victory. The win was a team effort as Alexey Miranchuk and Cooper Sanchez both picked upon assists during the match. Even goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos made several key saves during the match. CF Montreal went ahead 1-0 early on in the match when midfielder Matty Longstaff found the back of the net in the sixth minute of the match. Hoyos held the ball too long on an exchange with his defenders and the Five Stripes paid the price. A fan favorite, Lobjanidze brought the crowd to its feet in the 41st minute when he scored an unassisted goal to tie the match. Lobjanidzesu recently returned to the starting XI after coming off the bench early in the season. Latte Lath, however, was the one to truly cause a stir when his goal in the 52nd minute of extra time gave Atlanta a 2-1 lead. Alexey Miranchuk assisted on the goal. It was the second goal of the season for Latte Lath. For Atlanta United to go into the half with a lead has been rare this season. To go ahead by two goals early in the second half had not happened this season. Something is different about this club. Atlanta United forward Fafa Picault, a substitution for Latte Lath in the 63rd minute, nearly got another clean look at the Orlando goal before being knocked down by a defender. There was no foul called on the play. Picault left the game a few moments later and Luke Brennan was brought on to replace him. Atlanta United midfielder Matías Galarza (above) dribbles the ball during the match against CF Montréal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday May 2, 2026. Photo by Javi Morales/Atlanta United Up Next: Atlanta United will host the L.A. Galaxy on Saturday, and then play consecutive matches against Orlando City. The first will be a regular season meeting on Saturday, May 16 at Inter Co Stadium, followed by a U.S. Open Cup match on Tuesday May 19, in the same stadium. Those matches will be the first time the rivals will play one another this season. The post ‘The team owed it to the fans’: Atlanta United defeats CF Montreal 3-1 at The Benz appeared first on The Atlanta Voice. ...read more read less