Josef Martinez scores twice to lead Montreal past Atlanta

Josef Martinez capped a two-goal performance against his former team by tallying in the 76th minute, lifting visiting CF Montreal to a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Wednesday.

Martinez, a 2018 MLS MVP who played six seasons with Atlanta, converted a set piece to open the scoring in the 43rd minute. He answered Daniel Rios' tally by splitting a pair of defenders and depositing Tom Pearce's cross just inside the near post.

Martinez's fifth goal in three matches boosted his team-leading total to 10 on the season and 115 in his career, moving him past Ante Razor for seventh place in MLS history.

Pearce and Kwadwo Opoku each notched an assist and Jonathan Sirois made six saves for Montreal (9-13-10, 37 points), which extended its unbeaten run to five matches (4-0-1).

Rios scored late in first-half stoppage time and Brad Guzan turned aside one shot for Atlanta (8-14-10, 34 points), which saw their winless stretch extend to five matches (0-2-3).

Rios forged a 1-1 tie after heading home Pedro Amador's cross in first-half stoppage time. Rios' goal was his seventh of the season and first since he tallied twice in a Leagues Cup match vs. D.C. United on July 26.

Atlanta's Saba Lobjanidze hit the crossbar in his bid to break the tie in the 59th minute.

Teammate Brooks Lennon received a yellow card for a bad foul in the 55th minute. He will sit out Atlanta's match against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday due to yellow card accumulation.

CF Montreal nearly seized a lead right out of the chute, however Caden Clark's bid caromed off the right post in the second minute of the contest.

Atlanta United attempted to open the scoring in the 25th minute, however Lobjanidze's shot from the right side of the box sailed just to the left of the net.

--Field Level Media