Even when the probability of his team making the playoffs exceeded 99 percent, Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino would cling to that 1 percent when discussing making the playoffs.
Martino can relax ... for now.
On the anniversary of his introduction as the team's coach, Atlanta United became the first MLS expansion franchise since Seattle in 2009, and the fourth in league history, to qualify for the playoffs with Wednesday's 3-0 win against Philadelphia.
With that secured, Martino revealed the team has bigger goals.
“Now, that we’re third, we’re in a position to reach another one of those goals, to be third or fourth and have a home game in the first round,” Martino said. “But now that we’re there, we’re going to try and go for that second spot.”
The Five Stripes (15-8-7) trail second-place NYCFC (16-8-7) by three points, but have played one fewer game. If both teams win their remaining games, Atlanta United would claim second because of the first tiebreaker (wins).
There is a huge advantage to being one of the top two seeds: The top teams get a bye in the playoffs.
The first-round playoff games will be played Oct. 25 or 26. The first leg of the semifinals will be played Oct. 30 or 31. The second leg will be played Nov. 5. The Eastern Conference championship’s first leg will be held Nov. 21, with the second leg Nov. 28 or 29.
It seems strange, after watching the team go 5-0-1 and score 22 goals with five shutouts in it past six home games, that technically it was outside the playoffs before it started its six-game homestand in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
But things clicked well for the team in its work to reach the playoffs in the $1.5 billion palace.
“We’ve been focusing on it all year,” midfielder Jeff Larentowicz said. “It’s been our goal. We’ve had ups and downs, but I think that this stretch we really just pushed and got ourselves over the edge. It’s a huge accomplishment for us.”
Atlanta United has four games remaining to walk down NYCFC. The first is at New England on Saturday. The Five Stripes hammered the Revs 7-0 two weeks ago. New England has since fired its coach and was drilled by Orlando City 6-1 on Wednesday.
Playing what looks like a defeated team would seem to be a perfect opportunity for Martino to rest some players, especially considering Atlanta United will host Minnesota three days later, on Tuesday. The team is in the final stretch of playing eight games in 24 days.
Some of the players think the team is deep enough that should Martino decide to give some of the typical starters a rest that three points can still be won in Foxborough, Mass.
"I think (Jacob Peterson) pretty much gave us an example of that, and Chris (McCann) has done super well with me being out so it shows that we have a pretty deep team for guys to do well in every position and then be there when we need them," fullback Greg Garza said.
Even if the team can’t reach second, finishing third or fourth comes with a home game in the playoffs. Atlanta United has compiled a 11-2-2 record in its homes of Bobby Dodd Stadium and Mercedes-Benz. Its last loss at home came April 30 to D.C. United.
“Making the playoffs is really important,” striker Josef Martinez said. “Winning is important. I think the team played really well tonight at home. Now, we have accomplished one of the goals that we set this season but we have to keep working hard because there is more to come.”
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