Atlanta United is no longer forecast to win the Supporters' Shield, and has been given an equal chance with New York Red Bulls to win the MLS Cup, by the website fivethirtyeight.com.
According to the site, Atlanta United has a 46 percent probability to win the Shield, and 23 percent probability to win the Cup. The Red Bulls have a 54 percent probability to win the Shield and also a 23 percent probability to win the Cup.
As of Oct. 13, the website forecast Atlanta United with a 65 percent probability to win the Shield and 25 percent probability to win the Cup to Red Bulls’ 20 percent. Atlanta United and Red Bulls both won their next games. The Five Stripes defeated Chicago, while the Red Bulls won at Philadelphia.
Atlanta United leads Red Bulls by one point in the East. Atlanta United will play at Toronto on Sunday, while the Red Bulls will host Orlando. Both opponents have already been eliminated from appearing in the playoffs, which start next week. The website predicts that Red Bulls will defeat Orlando and finish with 71 points, while Atlanta United will draw Toronto and finish with 70 points.
Atlanta United is dealing with injuries to key players Miguel Almiron and Hector Villalba, though Villalba returned to training with the first team on Thursday.
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