Availability report and training notes before Atlanta's road trip to Montréal

Out on the pitch at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground Friday morning, it was as cool as it's been in months. The unseasonable temps were delivered by grey skies and a lovely breeze that prompted some Atlanta United players to wear long sleeves. In August. In Georgia.

It may have been the weather, it may have been the midweek win — either way, the vibes were up as Atlanta United put the finishing touches on their prep for CF Montréal before flying to Canada. The match is the first of 10 remaining for the 5-Stripes in the MLS regular season, and each of them will feel like a cup final as they vie for a playoff spot. At least that's what head coach Ronny Deila said.

"We're going to take it game by game," Deila said after training Friday. "Obviously, it's 10 cup finals that we have to attack and really, really enjoy."

Ronny Deila returned to media availability after assistant coach Kenny Miller spoke Tuesday. The head coach brought his same nuanced reasoning in each of his responses, and he called for his team to show consistency in the final stretch of the regular season.

Shifting availabilities

Atlanta United has had a light availability report as of the last couple of weeks, but Friday's release included a couple more names.

Pedro Amador and Matt Edwards remain ineligible as they nurse hamstring injuries. Jay Fortune has been out since June with a foot injury, as well. New to Friday's report are Jamal Thiaré and Cooper Sanchez. The pair played in the midweek against Atlas FC and will now miss the weekend's matchup.

Montréal for the first time since the season opener

Before the Inter Miami match was rescheduled, the gap in time between Atlanta United's first and second matches with CF Montréal this season was the largest on the 2025 schedule. The two clubs last met in the season opener, and the 5-Stripes pulled off a late 3-2 win.

It's been a challenging season for the side from Quebec, as they are last in the Eastern Conference with 18 points. They've allowed 46 goals and scored the third fewest with 23. They've maintained their defensive discipline in the box, though, not conceding a single penalty kick this season.

Prince Owusu will be a focus for the 5-Stripes. The forward leads the line for Montréal with 11 MLS goals, eight more than any other player on the squad. He also had two in Leagues Cup, propelling the side to an upset penalty shootout win over Club León July 29.

Of course, a big factor for the 5-Stripes will once again be the road environment, as they look for their first win away from home this season.

Deila and Slisz's goals for the last 10

Like Deila said, this last stretch of matches couldn't be more important for Atlanta United. With a gap to make up to earn a Wild Card berth, the 5-Stripes may very well need north of 25 points in their last 10 matches to earn a top nine position.

Putting together a complete 90 minutes is the top priority for both Deila and Bartosz Slisz, who spoke to media after a brief training session Friday morning.

"Do your job on the pitch, everyone should focus on himself," Slisz said. "I swear, if everyone [does] his job on the pitch at the end, we going to win the game."

Many of Atlanta United's matches this season, even the wins, have been a tale of two halves. They've learned it's both a physical task to keep up the energy in the heat of the season and a mental challenge to not switch off at any point.

"We need to have more consistency in everything we do," Deila said. "But our top level, like the first halves we have played the last weeks, it's at this top level."

Slisz was out on the pitch for the majority of Atlanta United's convincing 4-1 win over Atlas FC in their final Leagues Cup match of the season. He saw just how dominant the first half was, and though the 5-Stripes coasted to a win in the second, he said they could've been better.

The Polish midfielder captained the 5-Stripes with Miguel Almirón and Brad Guzan resting, and he put in another stellar performance, completing over 90 percent of his passes and growing in his involvement in the attack. He told media Friday he wants to be more involved in buildup going forward.

"He has grown a lot the last six months in my opinion, and he's played really well now," Deila said. "We have been talking about leadership from the first moment there. You see a guy with charisma and the months on the pitch now, and he also performing very well."

Slisz was one of six players in the starting XI Wednesday night that have made at least five starts this season. Seeing the veterans out on the pitch finding the free-flowing football they've aimed for all year long was a morale boost for the entire squad heading into Montréal.

"I think we go there with a good feeling. We really feel they enjoy playing games. Now they start to find each other. Well, they're having fun on the farm, on the pitch, and then also when you get successes, and then you get more confidence.

There's no telling what the target number for points is at this juncture, but the squad's focus is solely on three points each week. The rest of the cards will fall where they may.

"We believe, and I believe," Deila said. "We're going to use every moment to try to take with us points."