Ruan scores lone goal to lead Montreal to 1-0 victory over Atlanta United
CF Montreal's Fernando Álvarez (4) challenges Atlanta United's Daniel Ríos (19) during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, July 13, 2024. Credit: AP/Graham Hughes
MONTREAL — Defender Ruan Gregorio Gregorio Teixeira scored a second-half goal and goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois did not have to make a save on the way to his fifth clean sheet of the season as CF Montreal defeated Atlanta United 1-0 on Saturday night.
Neither team scored until Ruan used assists from Raheem Edwards and Ariel Lassiter in the 51st minute to score his second goal of the season for Montreal (6-9-8) and the sixth of his six-year career. It was the fourth assist this season for Edwards and the sixth for Lassiter.
Atlanta United (6-11-6) was forced to play a man down four minutes later after defender Stian Gregersen was given a second yellow card, leading to a red card and a one-match suspension.
Brad Guzan saved six shots in goal for Atlanta United. Guzan had three saves in a scoreless first half.
Montreal ups its unbeaten run at home to seven, going 3-0-4. The streak matches a club record set three times, most recently in 2021.
Atlanta United entered the match having lost its top two scorers — Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis — to transfers.
Atlanta United leads the all-time series 7-4-3. The club clinched a playoff spot for the fifth time in club history with a 4-1 win over Montreal at the end of last season. Montreal improves to 4-2-2 against Atlanta United at home.
CF Montreal's Ruan, top, leaps over Atlanta United defender Ronald Hernández, bottom, during second-half MLS soccer match action in Montreal, Saturday, July 13, 2024. Credit: AP/Graham Hughes
Atlanta United returns home to play New York City FC on Wednesday. Montreal travels to play the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday.
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