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Atlanta United

Here’s how Atlanta United can clinch an MLS playoff berth this weekend

April 24, 2021 Atlanta - Atlanta United's goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) reacts after an own goal by Chicago Fire's defender Johan Kappelhof (4) during the second half in a MLS soccer match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Atlanta United won 3-1 over Chicago Fire. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)
April 24, 2021 Atlanta - Atlanta United's goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) reacts after an own goal by Chicago Fire's defender Johan Kappelhof (4) during the second half in a MLS soccer match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Atlanta United won 3-1 over Chicago Fire. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)
Doug Roberson
By Doug Roberson

Atlanta United can clinch a spot in the MLS playoffs this weekend in the following scenario:

  • It defeats Toronto on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
  • Montreal loses or draws with the Red Bulls on Saturday.
  • D.C. United loses or draws with Columbus on Saturday.
  • Orlando loses or draws with Nashville on Sunday.

The Five Stripes are in sixth place in the East with 46 points. They have three games remaining. If the team takes the nine available points, it will no finish no worse than fourth and will get to host a first-round playoff game.

It is an amazing turnaround from when the team was stuck in 10th place and had scored only 13 goals in 13 games.

“I’m happy that we’ve put ourselves in a position to hopefully get into the playoffs,” captain and goalkeeper Brad Guzan said Friday. “We put ourselves in a position to hopefully host the playoff game. But that’s all just talk. We need to be able to go out and do that. And we’ve been able to do that from a collective standpoint. And now, you know, we’ve got another opportunity tomorrow to continue that momentum.”

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