Atlanta United
Atlanta United

It would take a lot for Atlanta United not to play for MLS Cup

Atlanta United players mob Hector Villalba after his goal for a 3-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls during the second half in their Eastern Conference finals MLS soccer game on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Atlanta United players mob Hector Villalba after his goal for a 3-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls during the second half in their Eastern Conference finals MLS soccer game on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nov 27, 2018

Just how big was Atlanta United’s 3-0 victory over New York Red Bulls in the first leg of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday?

Take a look at what must happen for Atlanta United not to advance to the MLS Cup next week after the second leg of the series Thursday in New York.

MLS produced this chart that goes through every scenario up to five goals scored by either team:

ajc.com
icon to expand image

Atlanta United advances with a victory. Should the Red Bulls win 3-0, the match would go to extra time. The Red Bulls would advance with a victory of four or more goals.

Should Atlanta United advance, it would host the winner of the Western Conference final between Portland and Sporting KC in the MLS Cup on Dec. 8. Those teams played to a 0-0 draw on Sunday. The second leg is Thursday night.

About the Author

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More Stories

Keep Reading

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the match schedule reveal for the 2026 soccer World Cup in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Chris Carlson/AP)

Credit: AP

World Cup ticket prices for Atlanta matches increase

New ticket prices for the World Cup group stage matches in Atlanta will range from as low as $140 to as much as $600, according to information released by FIFA on Thursday.

U.S. men’s soccer team will play Senegal in a friendly in Charlotte

The U.S. men’s soccer team has scheduled another tough friendly as part of its World Cup preparations, playing Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Atlanta United defeats Botafogo in court over Thiago Almada ... again

Atlanta United won another round in its court battle with Botafogo over its failure to pay $21 million for Thiago Almada.

The Latest

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the match schedule reveal for the 2026 soccer World Cup in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Chris Carlson/AP)

Credit: AP

World Cup ticket prices for Atlanta matches increase

Atlanta United defeats Botafogo in court over Thiago Almada ... again

U.S. men’s soccer team will play Senegal in a friendly in Charlotte

Featured

Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools

Waymo cars ignored stopped school buses in Atlanta. What happens now?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation. The autonomous vehicle company has issued a software recall.

Search for new MARTA chief hits snag

The search for a new leader for the regional transit authority is widely seen as one of the most important duties facing the Marta Board

Georgia high school coach arrested, accused of hitting, choking players

The Greene County High coach was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of simple battery, according to investigators.

3m ago