Interim Atlanta United head coach is hoping to see improvements from his side following their shock US Open cup exit ahead of returning to league action against CF Montreal this weekend.

The Five Stripes exited the competition at the quarter-final stage to USL side Indy Eleven, as Nick Firmino’s late strike proved only to be a consolation.

Atlanta come into the game off the back of consecutive defeats in the MLS, the latest of which came against Real Salt Lake at America First Field.

Just a point separates the two sides in the Eastern Conference table, with Atlanta sitting in 10th place, a point ahead of their opponents.

Valentino is hoping to see an improvement in the attacking areas from his players as they aim to return to winning ways in the MLS.

“When we have a team within their own box, we have to move very quickly and have some quality with it,” said Valentino. “We’ve talked about different areas where we can attack, yeah sure, but from there we have to have a little bit more quality in how we execute in the final third”

“But even tonight, at the very end when we get an own goal at the very end, and I said to them just try to get one. If you can get one goal, it means you are still pushing and still trying to be in the game, and they did.

“They had two chances, and they ended up getting one. You have to keep going, no one is going to feel sorry for us, and I think that is sort of the message to me.”

Our Open Cup run comes to an end. pic.twitter.com/CKGMqqHLFZ

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) July 10, 2024

Montreal, meanwhile, snatched a late point in their last league fixture against Vancouver Whitecaps as Matias Coccaro struck late for the hosts.

Laurent Courtois’ side have endured an indifferent run of results of late, winning two of their last eight matches, four of which have ended in a draw.

Montreal sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, and know a victory will see them leapfrog their opponents while also bridging the gap between the sides at the bottom of the table.

Que de l’amour

We love to see the bromance#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/X0p31lWsIK

— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) July 7, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CF Montreal – Sunusi Ibrahim

Sunusi Ibrahim is Montreal’s top scorer this season with six goals from 21 league appearances and will be hopeful of ending his dry spell in front of his home supporters.

Ibrahim has failed to find the back of the net in his last four outings, having recorded six goal contributions (five goals, one assist) in seven appearances beforehand.

Atlanta United – Daniel Rios

Rios has been in fine form for Atlanta of late, and he will be keen to influence proceedings once again at the Stade Saputo.

The Mexican has been involved in six of the Five Stripes’ last nine MLS goals (four goals, two assists), recording at least one goal contribution in each of his last four MLS appearances.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Both sides come into the encounter searching for a much-needed victory in an attempt to get their respective seasons back on track.

Atlanta have won only three of its last 17 league matches (D6 L8), including losing the last two in a row. The Five Stripes have managed only two clean sheets in that time.

Montreal are enduring a similar run to their opponents in the MLS. They have won only two of their last 17 matches in all competitions (D8 L7). Montreal, however, are unbeaten in six games at home (W2 D4).

The Five Stripes do edge the head-to-head meetings, having won seven of their previous 13 all-time meetings (D3 L3), though they have struggled at the Stade Saputo. Only two of their victories have come in Montreal.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

CF Montreal – 39.7%

Draw – 26.6%

Atlanta United – 33.7%