Joaquin Torres' late goal carries CF Montréal to a 2-1 win against Atlanta United

The club equals a franchise record with its sixth consecutive match without a defeat.

CF Montréal defender Kamal Miller reacts after scoring a goal against Atlanta United FC during the first half at Saputo Stadium in Montreal on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Photo by Eric Bolte /USA TODAY Sports

The smallest player on the field came up big Saturday afternoon for CF Montréal.

Joaquin Torres, a second-half substitute, scored in the 82nd minute, propelling the home team to a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United before more than 15,000 spectators at Saputo Stadium.

Kamal Miller, who opened the scoring in the fourth, was the catalyst on the winning goal. Following a great individual effort by the Canadian international defender, Miller sat a cross into the six-yard box, from where it was flicked in with a header by Torres. The midfielder is listed at 5-foot-5 and 135 pounds.

Despite Miller’s early goal, the visitors controlled the majority of the play — at least in the opening half — and it was only a matter of time before Marcelino Moreno scored in the 51st.

The victory improved CFM’s record to 4-3-2. The club also equaled a franchise record with its sixth consecutive match without a defeat. It marked the fourth time CF Montréal hasn’t lost in six games, most recently last season.

Atlanta United saw its record slip to 3-4-2. The club hasn’t won in Montreal since 2018 and has now gone four matches without a victory while being held to two goals.

For the second consecutive home game, CFM got off to a quick start, this time off a set piece.

The home side was awarded a free kick, which normally is taken by Djordje Mihailovic. This time, however, Ahmed Hamdi rushed to the ball, meaning he would take it, and that might have led to some temporary hesitation on the part of Atlanta United.

The kick, indeed, was taken by Mihailovic. Miller came out of nowhere to head the ball past Bobby Shuttleworth. It was the first goal of the season for the Canadian international defender, while it was Mihailovic’s third assist.

It would prove to be one of CFM’s few offensive forays in the opening half as the team was thoroughly outplayed.

In the 11th, off a free kick from 21 yards, Thiago Almada went low. But Sebastian Breza saw it at the last moment and parried the strike away with his left hand, displaying tremendous reaction and instinct.

Almada came close again in the 19th. His high shot from distance missed curling into the top corner to Breza’s left.

Joel Waterman came close, off a corner, in the 20th, but it was a rare scoring opportunity. Instead, it was left to Breza to save CFM again in the 29th, breaking up an attempt by Moreno.

Three minutes later, off a free kick from a distance by Moreno, Breza made a spectacular stop, diving to his right and fully stretching his body out.

The visitors undoubtedly went to their dressing room at halftime shaking their heads, so totally did they dominate and dictate play. Atlanta United had nearly 73 per cent of the possession over the opening 45 minutes, while outshooting CFM 7-5. Atlanta clearly was quicker on the balls and was finding too many pockets of space.

CFM manager made one substitution to begin the second half, Torres replacing Hamdi, who recently returned from an ankle injury.

Nonetheless, United scored the equalizer off the foot of Moreno. He took the ball off his chest, hesitated, then directed a low shot through Alistair Johnston that deflected off the post to Breza’s right before rolling across into the net.

Breza and CFM are still seeking their first clean sheet this season.

CF Montréal returns to action next Saturday afternoon, again at home, hosting Orlando City.

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