Atlanta United clinch spot in 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs

With less than two months to go in the season, Atlanta United have secured one of the Eastern Conference’s six spots in the MLS Cup Playoffs by virtue of a D.C. United failing to win at New York City FC on Saturday.

Although it’s guaranteed a playoff spot, the work is far from over from Atlanta United. The race for the Supporters’ Shield has developed into a two-club race between the Five Stripes and the New York Red Bulls with both FC Dallas and NYCFC seeing a little drop in form in recent weeks.

The upcoming schedule works out rather well for Atlanta as it travels to bottom-table Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes before returning to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to take on Real Salt Lake. Meanwhile, the Red Bulls visit Montreal and D.C. United before heading back to Harrison to host Toronto FC. Those matches lead up to probably the game of the year in MLS this season: September 30, when Atlanta and RBNY meet at Red Bull Arena.