Atlanta United is zeroing in on two MLS records.
With Saturday's 2-1 win at Montreal, Atlanta United has 47 points, including 23 points on the road this season.
The MLS record for points in a season was set by Toronto with 69 last year. With 11 games remaining, Atlanta United can reach a maximum of 80 points, shattering Toronto’s record.
Even if Atlanta United doesn’t sweep its final 11 games – and the probability of that is low – it needs only to maintain its average of 2.04 points per game to finish with a record-tying 69 points.
The record for points on the road may be easier to break. The post-shootout era mark was set in 2011 by Seattle, which posted 32 points from a 9-3-5 away record.
With a 7-2-2 record away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and six road games remaining, Atlanta United could finish with a maximum of 41 points.
“The one thing I would say is we’re a bunch of competitors and guys that, when we step across that white line, want to win regardless if it’s home or away,” Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. “You go into a place knowing that we’re going to get the other team’s best performance. We know when teams play us now they’re geared up for it and we have to be at our best to deal with that. At times tonight we were and at other times I thought we weren’t but fortunately we got out of here with three points.”
Both records are within reach because the remaining schedule isn’t difficult.
Of the six road games remaining, just one will come against a team above the red line in either conference. That will be an Eastern Conference showdown at New York Red Bulls on Sept. 30. The Five Stripes will play two teams that may be fighting for playoff spots when it goes to Orlando on Aug. 24 and to Toronto in the finale on Oct. 28. If Atlanta United defeats Toronto in their first meeting on Aug. 4, the first after Wednesday’s All-Star game against Juventus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Canadians may already be practically eliminated from contention.
Atlanta United’s home games feature three teams that are above the red line, but two of those (New England on Oct. 7 and Real Salt Lake on Sept. 22) opponents are in sixth and final playoff spot and struggling.
The formula developed by Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino won’t change, no matter home or away.
“If we’re playing at home, we play one way,” he said. “And if we’re playing away, we play exactly the same way. And that’s what letting us win games – maintaining our form at home as well as on the road.”
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