Atlanta United clinched at least the third seed in the Eastern Conference, which comes with a home game, in the upcoming MLS playoffs with Saturday's 3-1 win against San Jose at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Getting at least one home game in the playoffs is crucial because Atlanta United is 11-2-3 at home. Its 11 wins are tied for the most in the league.
“It’s very important because this is our home,” Hector Villalba said. “We have to make this a tough place to play. Last season we were ale to do that. We have to keep defending this stadium.”
Atlanta United is currently second in the East with 54 points. It has two more points than Philadelphia, which will play on Sunday at New York Red Bulls. Atlanta United trails first-place NYCFC by three points. It will play at Dallas on Sunday.
The team that finishes in first in the East gets a bye in the first round of the playoffs and home-field advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The second-place team will get to host playoff games in the first and second rounds, at least.
If the playoffs started today, Atlanta United would host New England in the first round. Should it win, it would host the winner of the game between the current fourth-seeded New York Red Bulls and third-seeded Philadelphia.
Atlanta United can still finish in first. It would likely need to win its remaining three games, which start on Wednesday at NYCFC. Atlanta United will play at Montreal and host New England in the finale.
That positioning is why the two late goals scored on Saturday to defeat San Jose were so important.
“I think that is the kind of mentality we need to have going forward, is to try and win all these games, and give us the best position in the playoffs,” said Emerson Hyndman, who scored the winning goal. “The better position, the easier it could be, so every game is important.”
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