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Atlanta United

Atlanta United favored to win MLS Cup

Nov 11, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron is covered up by teammates after scoring his team’s second goal of the night on a penalty kick for a 2-0 lead over New York City during the first half in their MLS Eastern Conference Semifinal playoff match on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Nov 11, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron is covered up by teammates after scoring his team’s second goal of the night on a penalty kick for a 2-0 lead over New York City during the first half in their MLS Eastern Conference Semifinal playoff match on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
By
Dec 1, 2018

Atlanta United is a prohibitive favorite to defeat Portland and win the MLS Cup, according to the website FiveThirtyEight.

The site calculates that the Five Stripes have a 77 percent probability to win the league's championship game. The game will be played at Atlanta United's home, Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

On Feb. 26, a week before the season began, the website calculated a 13 percent probability that Atlanta United would win the MLS Cup. That was the second-highest probability, behind Toronto (21 percent). Toronto didn’t make the playoffs. Atlanta United finished second in the East.

Portland was given an 8 percent probability of winning the Cup and a predicted 54 points. It finished with 54.

Atlanta United was predicted to finish with 60 points. It finished with 69, tied for the second-most in league history.

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Doug Roberson covers the Atlanta United and Major League Soccer.

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