Atlanta United has path to finish top four

If Atlanta United wins its remaining three matches it will accomplish its goal of finishing in at least fourth place in the MLS Eastern Conference.

Saturday’s results clinched that scenario for the Five Stripes. Finishing top four is important because the first round of the playoffs is a best-of-three with the top four seeds getting two home games if the first two matches are split.

Atlanta United is in sixth place with 49 points. It will play at Philadelphia on Wednesday, host Columbus on Oct. 7 and will play at Cincinnati on Decision Day.

Cincinnati clinched the Supporters Shield on Saturday with a 3-2 victory against Toronto. Cincinnati has 65 points with three matches remaining.

Orlando defeated Montreal 3-0 to reach 54 points. It has three matches remaining.

New England defeated Charlotte 2-1 to reach 52 points. It has four matches remaining.

Philadelphia and Columbus played to a 1-1 draw. Philadelphia has 51 points and Columbus has 50. Each have three matches remaining, which includes those against Atlanta United.

If Atlanta United wins its three matches, it will finish 58 points. Therefore, Philadelphia would finish with a maximum of 57 points and Columbus 56.

Saturday’s results also guaranteed that Atlanta United can’t finish lower than seventh, which means it will avoid the play-in round of the playoffs that will feature the eighth and ninth seeds.

Among the individual awards being pursued by Atlanta United players, Giorgos Giakoumakis remains tied with Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta and Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar for the Golden Boot. Each has 15 goals. Thiago Almada leads the league in assists (16), two more than the rest of the field.

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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule

Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1

March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1

March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0

March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1

March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1

April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0

April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1

April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2

April 23 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 1

April 29 Nashville SC 3, Atlanta United 1

May 6 Inter Miami CF 2, Atlanta United 1