Atlanta United must win on the road at Orlando City SC. After that, there's three other Eastern Conference matches that will impact Atlanta United's playoff status.
Atlanta United 2-1 Orlando City SC ✅
Along with a win, Atlanta United needs at least two of the following three outcomes:
1. A LOSS for CF Montréal at home vs. New York City FC
CF Montreal 2-0 New York City FC ❌
2. A LOSS for D.C. United at home vs. Charlotte FC
D.C. United 0-2 Charlotte FC ✅
3. A draw OR loss for Philadelphia Union at home vs. FC Cincinnati
Philadelphia Union 1-2 FC Cincinnati ✅
FULL TIME - ATLANTA UNITED IS PLAYOFF BOUND
In an unbelievable 90 minutes, Atlanta United earned the win in Orlando. Not only that, the team got some help from other teams in the conference. Wins from Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati helped Atlanta United move up the table and extend their season.
Atlanta United has booked their ticket to the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. They will be the 9-seed and play 8-seed CF Montréal in the Wild Card Game on October 22.
89th minute - Orlando City SC goal CALLED BACK
Well it looked like Atlanta United's playoff dreams were dashed when Duncan Maguire finished a close-range volley. However, after VAR the goal was disallowed due to handball.
There's still time left, but Atlanta United's playoff hopes are still alive.
Charlotte also extended their lead against D.C. They lead 3-0.
75th minute - Charlotte doubles their lead
Charlotte FC just did Atlanta another favor, extending their lead over D.C. United to make the scoreline 2-0.
The goal creates a little breathing room and makes it more difficult for D.C. to qualify for a playoff spot. With 15 minutes remaining, if everything holds, Atlanta United would qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs as the 9th seed.
58th minute - CHARLOTTE BREAKS THE DEADLOCK
Charlotte FC has broken the scorless deadlock in their match with D.C. United and taken a 1-0 lead. This score works in Atlanta's favor, and for the first time tonight Atlanta United has hit all the scenarios it would need to qualify for the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Still 30 minutes of soccer to go. Embrace the chaos of Decision Day...
47th minute - Alexey Miranchuk penalty kick stopped, FC Cincinnati scores
Atlanta United was awarded a penalty kick soon after the halftime break. Alexey Miranchuk took the kick for Atlanta United. After converting his previous two PKs for the 5-Stripes, he missed this one, Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese coming up with a massive save. Atlanta United missed out a chance to extend their lead and create a little more breathing room against a talented Orlando City attack.
Meanwhile, FC CIncinnati scored to take a 2-1 lead on Philadelphia Union.
HALFTIME
At the half, Atlanta United is taking care of business with a one-goal lead. They've played some really good ball, especially in the opening moments, which is what interim head coach Rob Valentino's team wanted.
But the 5-Stripes need a little more help from the other teams in the rest of the conference. FC Cincinnati did pull one back during second half stoppage time against Philadelphia, which helps Atlanta United's cause. But CF Montréal doubled their lead against NYCFC with a goal from former 5-Stripe Josef Martínez.
Here are the scores at the half:
- CF Montréal 2-0 NYCFC
- D.C. United 0-0 Charlotte FC
- Philadelphia Union 1-1 FC Cincinnati
If these results were to hold, Atlanta United would finish with 40 points in the table, but it wouldn't be enough for the team to qualify for the postseason.
Let's hope for some more goals from FC Cincinnati, NYCFC and our "friends" (for the day) in Queen City in this second half.
42nd minute - Orlando City pulls one back
Down two goals, the home side pulled one back in the 42nd minute. After a switch and an overlapping run set up a long cross, the ball was sent back into the box. Martín Ojeda flicked it on for a headed goal, the 12th header of the season for Orlando, the highest in MLS.
Atlanta United leads 2-1 over Orlando City SC, but the home team was looking mighty dangerous in the final moments of the first half.
18th minute - CF Montréal opens the scoring against NYCFC
A few minutes after good news for Atlanta United, they were immediately hit with bad news. CF Montréal opened the scoring in their match against New York City FC in the 18th minute with a goal from Caden Clark.
With CF Montréal three points above Atlanta United in the standings, Atlanta needs a loss from CF Montréal.
16th minute - Atlanta United doubles the lead!
Atlanta United doubled their lead following a corner kick taken by Alexey Miranchuk. The ball took a deflection by the Orlando goalkeeper and bounced to Jamal Thiaré at the far post. The striker finished it off to give Atlanta United an early 2-0 lead.
Entering Saturday, the 5-Stripes wanted to get off to a good start ... and they certainly have, scoring TWO GOALS in the opening 16 minutes of the match.
SABA TIME! ⏱ Atlanta opens the scoring in the seventh minute
Some beautiful combination play, initiated by Tyler Wolff, led to Atlanta United's opening goal in Florida. In tight space, Pedro Amador made a nice give-and-go with the club's leading scorer on the season, Saba Lobjanidze. Prior to the match, Saba said he was locked in and he showed it with his finish, putting it in the back of the net to give Atlanta United a 1-0 lead on the road.
Atlanta must win today to have a chance at the playoffs, no matter what happens in the rest of the conference. Saba's ninth goal of the season may prove to make a difference for Atlanta's season if the 5-Stripes can hold on.
Second minute - Philly scores
The first goal was scored that did impact Atlanta, however, in the second minute between Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati. Quinn Sullivan scored for the Union, getting the team out to an early lead.
This may hurt Atlanta United, since we need a draw or loss from Philadelphia today. But it's still early. Still a lot of soccer to go today.
Early minutes - Goals... from Columbus and Inter Miami CF
We saw the first goals of Decision Day in early moments of two matches. Columbus Crew scored on New York Red Bulls. New England Revolution struck early against Supporters Shield champions Inter Miami CF. Luckily, neither of these impact Atlanta United's standing.
6 p.m. ET - Time for kickoff at Inter&Co Stadium
We're about 10 minutes away from kickoff in Florida between Atlanta United and Orlando City SC. All the other Eastern Conferences matches kick off at the same time as well.
Atlanta United enters the matchup with 37 points in the table, three points within reach of the final wild card spots.
5 p.m. ET - Atlanta United releases starting XI
Saturday is Decision Day, and there's a lot on the line for Atlanta United. The club's 2024 regular season finale in Orlando will determine whether or not Atlanta United qualifies for the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
We'll be tracking all the latest in these three matches to see how Atlanta United's chances are looking, so keep an eye on atlutd.com or the official Atlanta United app as you're watching the match on TV or at the official Atlanta United watch party at Brewhouse Café to follow all the action.
