Atlanta United favored to win MLS Cup

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.