Atlanta United still has seven matches left in their regular season, but their chance to clinch a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs is already here. With postseason aspirations and international competition spots at play, here’s where we stand heading into the weekend:
Clinching playoffs
First and foremost is the primary team goal this season: a deep run at the MLS Cup. That all starts with clinching a spot in the postseason, and that could come as early this weekend, despite Atlanta United having the weekend off. If D.C. United draws or loses this Saturday, they and the Montreal Impact would each have to win all of their remaining games to have a mathematic possibility of the Five Stripes falling below the red playoff line.