Atlanta United’s playoff path is clear, but difficult

Atlanta United players celebrate as they surround midfielder Thiago Almada after he scored a goal against Orlando City during the second half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Atlanta United players celebrate as they surround midfielder Thiago Almada after he scored a goal against Orlando City during the second half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

With Cincinnati’s 1-1 draw at Seattle on Wednesday, Atlanta United’s hopes of making the playoffs, already slim, were reduced.

Here are the Eastern Conference standings and information relevant to Atlanta United going into the final two weeks of the season (with the top seven teams qualifying for the playoffs):

5. Cincinnati, 46 points, two games remaining

6. Orlando, 45 points, three games remaining

7. Miami, 42 points, three games remaining

8. Columbus, 42 points, three games remaining

9. Atlanta United, 40 points, two games remaining

Here are the games remaining for the relevant teams, with the opponents’ average points per game:

Orlando: at NYCFC (1.53), at Miami (1.35), vs. Columbus (1.35).

Cincinnati: vs. Chicago (1.09), at D.C. United (0.84).

Miami: at Toronto (1.06), vs. Orlando (1.45), vs. Montreal (1.84).

Columbus: vs. the Red Bulls (1.56), at Charlotte (1.23), at Orlando (1.45).

Atlanta United: at New England (1.19), vs. NYCFC (1.53).

Atlanta United’s best chance of qualifying for the postseason for the fifth time in six seasons is to win its final two games at New England on Saturday and against NYCFC on Decision Day, Oct. 9.

The Five Stripes will then need at least two of the following situations to play out:

Cincinnati earns no points from its final two games.

Orlando earns no points from its final three games.

Miami earns no more than three points from its final three games.

Columbus earns no more than four points from its final three games.

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Atlanta United’s 2022 MLS schedule

Feb. 27 Atlanta United 3, Sporting KC 1

March 5 Colorado 3, Atlanta United 0

March 13 Atlanta United 2, Charlotte 1

March 19 Atlanta United 3, Montreal 3

April 2 Atlanta United 1, D.C. United 0

April 10 Charlotte 1, Atlanta United 0

April 16 Atlanta United 0, Cincinnati 0

April 24 Miami 2, Atlanta United 1

April 30 Montreal 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 4, Chicago 1

May 15 Atlanta United 2, New England 2

May 21 Atlanta United 2, Nashville 2

May 28 Columbus 2, Atlanta United 1

June 19 Atlanta United 2, Miami 0

June 25 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 1

June 30 New York Red Bulls 2, Atlanta United 1

July 3 Atlanta United 2, NYCFC 2

July 9 Austin 3, Atlanta United 0

July 13 Atlanta United 2, Real Salt Lake 1

July 17 Atlanta United 1, Orlando 1

July 24 L.A. Galaxy 2, Atlanta United 0

July 30 Atlanta United 0, Chicago 0

August 6 Atlanta United 2, Seattle 1

August 13 Atlanta United 2, Cincinnati 2

August 17 New York Red Bulls 2, Atlanta United 1

August 21 Atlanta United 2, Columbus 2

August 28 Atlanta United 3, D.C. United 2

August 31 Philadelphia 4, Atlanta United 1

Sept. 4 Portland 2, Atlanta United 1

Sept. 10 Atlanta United 4, Toronto 2

Sept. 14 Atlanta United 1, Orlando 0

Sept 17 Atlanta United 0 Philadelphia 0

Oct. 1 at New England, 1:30 p.m., UniMas

Oct. 9 vs. NYCFC, TBD, BSSO/BSSE