At long last: it’s all come down to this. And some others, too.
After all the highs, the lows, the so-sos, and the really lows, Atlanta United are finally at the end of the regular season’s road in a hostile Orlando environment tonight. It’s a must-win, for real this time, for the Five Stripes if they are to sneak their way in to the two Wild Card spots remaining in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
A win isn’t all Atlanta needs, though. To claim one of the only postseason positions left up for grabs this Decision Day, Atlanta will also have to hope for a combination of at least two results of CF Montreal losing at home to NYCFC, D.C. United losing at home to Charlotte, and Philadelphia either losing or drawing at home to FC Cincinnati. If all three of Montreal, D.C., and Philadelphia fall, and Atlanta comes out with a win in Orlando, Atlanta United would *host* the Wild Card round. Wild.
Any result going the way Atlanta would like requires a team to fall to a team already qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs. At first glance, this seems like the soccer gods have smiled upon Atlanta’s chances, leaving the matches outside of Atlanta United’s control to the higher positioned team. On the flip side, these opposing teams ranked sixth through third don’t have a whole lot at stake here outside of some slight shuffling of playoff seeding. NYCFC could potentially jump Orlando and get home advantage in Round One, but that’s about it. The teams Atlanta would like to lose are in the same boat as the Five Stripes- survival. Will those higher ranked teams still field strong lineups, or even play to their full ability with their playoff spots already sealed?
Well, we won’t have to worry about anything elsewhere if Atlanta doesn’t take all three points from rivals Orlando City. That one certainly won’t be an easy task, as the Lions have won six of their last seven matches- the only loss in there a 3-4 shootout against Columbus. Facundo Torres is also on fire right now, scoring or assisting in five straight matches before their most recent match against Cincinnati. Atlanta defeated Orlando, 2-0 at home, in the two sides last meeting back in March… on a goal and an assist from Giorgos Giakoumakis. The Five Stripes are at least coming off of a gritty 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls before the international break, but it’s hard to say if that momentum from two weeks ago has persisted. Atlanta will also be without Edwin Mosquera due to a knee injury after his starting role in that win, perhaps leaving an opening for Xande Silva or Tyler Wolff to step up in a big way.
The Decision Day chaos across the Eastern Conference will commence simultaneously with 6:10 PM kickoffs, all streaming per usual on Apple TV with a subscription to MLS Season Pass. Radio coverage for this evening’s match is provided in English on 92.9 The Game and in Spanish on La Mejor.
Be sure to head down to our match thread in the comments below to discuss all the pre-, during, and post- match action unfolding both in Orlando and across the league as we find out if Atlanta United will emerge alive.
Atlanta Unitedโs Lineup:
Orlando City’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida
Kickoff Time: Saturday, October 19th; 6:10 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: Apple TV (with MLS Season Pass Subscription)
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM
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I don’t know whether to think “cool, we actually made it in the playoffs” or “gang, we just lost 200k GAM.”
I guess it’s both.
Considering I doubt we will go far in the playoffs I think the lost $200,000 GAM is the bigger loss. I would say that this shows that keep on pushing and good things happen but I think realistically that once we hire a new coach that the turnover will be such that the impact of pushing on will be lost on the future roster. Tom Landry of the Dallas Cowboys once said that his job was to use the players talents for success. That if players were not motivated by the time they became professionals, that nothing he could do would change that. Iโm glad we made the playoffs and props to Rob and the other coaches. Iโm just waiting for the new coaches. No more Boca to blame. Itโs time to do it right.
Helloโฆ.Hello, hey guys you can come back now. We won! Weโre in the playoffs! Helloโฆ..
See you soon Josef
BLOW THE DANG WISSLE
Iโm not sure I agree with the VAR, but ok
OMGOODNESS WHAT A ROLLER COASTER OF A SEASON
Saved by VAR!
And just like that we throw it all away. This game sums up our damn season. This poor damn season.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuโฆ..
As of 59โ, Atlanta is in!!!
AS OF RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS.
That was a Ukrainian pk stoppage
So currently we are out right? We need Philly game to stay where it is (or CIN score) AND CLT to score?
As of 55โ easiest and most likely way to get in is a CLT goal/win.
Two results going against us. Dang.
Again ?! We are allowed to score first and twice ? I thought that was against the rules
LOL
OMGOODNESS IT MIGHT ACTUALLY HAPPEN
Great football from us.
Wow, beautifully worked goal. I might be starting to convinced Amador will be a good addition.
He’s been one of our best players since he arrived. Very good defensively and sneaky good in the the attacking third.
The Mighty Guz paw and the Shifty Saba foot have me smiling
Saba scored but Philly is up…
Hernandez has looked decent. Should Brooks really be entitled to go immediately back to starting?
I think Hernadez would be much better. But it is what it is I guess. :/
I doubt this thread will be hopping despite the stakes, but one must admit this season has been anything but boring. Extreme highs (beating top-ranked teams away) and depressing lows (massive home winless streak).
I feel like squeaking into the playoffs is the exact kind of wtf ending that would fit how things have gone so far. In a few short hours, weโll see if the soccer gods are prepared to continue laughing at our expense.
It think it would be even more fitting for us to win 4-0 but the other results donโt go our way and we just miss out.
No. The most AU 2024 result from today would be them sliding into the Playoffs through the absurd back door, lose the GAM they would get for missing them, and then be beaten senseless in the first round.
Spoken into existence