Atlanta United will face NYCFC in MLS playoffs

Atlanta United will face New York City FC in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the MLS playoffs.

The first game will be Sunday at Yankee Stadium. The return game will be Nov. 11 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Times for Sunday’s game will be announced either Thursday night or Friday morning after the knockout round games.

Atlanta United is the second seed in the East after tying for the second-most points (69) in MLS history. NYCFC is the third seed. It defeated sixth-seeded Philadelphia 3-1 on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium in a knockout round game.

Atlanta United went 0-0-2 against NYCFC during the regular season, drawing 2-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 15. Greg Garza’s and Chris McCann’s goals were offset by David Villa’s and Alexander Ring’s. The teams drew 1-1 at Yankee Stadium on June 9. Josef Martinez and Alexander Callens scored.

In the other Eastern Conference semifinal, the top-seeded New York Red Bulls will face the winner of Thursday’s game between fourth-seeded D.C. United and fifth-seeded Columbus.

The Eastern Conference and Western Conference finals will be Nov. 25 and 29. The MLS Cup will be Dec. 8.

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