ATLANTA — In an exciting season opener for both teams on Saturday night, Emmanuel Latte Lath made quite an impression by scoring two goals in his debut with Atlanta United, leading the team to a 3-2 victory over CF Montreal.

Edwin Mosquera, who came onto the field as a substitute in the 83rd minute, played a pivotal role by netting the decisive goal in the 85th minute, securing Atlanta’s lead. Positioned at the left corner of the penalty area, he artfully maneuvered between two defenders to unleash a powerful shot that soared past goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.

Atlanta’s goalkeeper, Brad Guzan, showcased his skills by turning away four shots throughout the match, contributing to his team’s defensive efforts.

Latte Lath, a 26-year-old international player from the Ivory Coast, was signed during the offseason for a significant transfer fee reported to be $22 million, marking a new record in MLS. He made his mark early in the game, scoring his first goal in the 42nd minute with a well-placed header off a corner kick delivered by Saba Lobjanidze, placing Atlanta ahead 1-0.

The game saw an immediate response from Montreal, with Nathan Saliba equalizing just two minutes into the second half, making the score 1-1. After a moment of misjudgment from Sirois, who struggled with a header from Miguel Almirón, Latte Lath pounced on the opportunity to reclaim the lead for Atlanta in the 63rd minute, extending the score to 2-1.

Montreal’s Prince Owusu, who had nine goals with Toronto FC last season, managed to level the match once more at 2-2 in the 71st minute. He capitalized on a well-placed corner kick by Tom Pearce, finishing with a close-range tap-in, showcasing his scoring ability.

Sirois had a busy night in goal for Montreal, making a total of five saves, but ultimately it was Latte Lath and Mosquera’s contributions that secured Atlanta United’s victory in their opening match.