Montreal Impact will never have a better chance to gain their first point at Atlanta. Both sides had key players missing either through injury or international duty, and it seemed to be Atlanta whose game was more affected by the absentees.
They dominated much of the early proceedings, but Montreal looked comfortable, and in fact should have taken the lead when Saphir Taider, a goalscorer here last season, played a beautiful ball from the left touchline, across to Choiniere bearing down on goal. The Impact youngster chased by Pogba, placed his first-time, side-footed effort wide of Guzan, but also on the wrong side of the upright.