Atlanta United secures playoff spot with 2-1 win over Orlando City
- Atlanta United achieved a critical victory over Orlando City, winning 2-1 and ensuring their playoff berth.
- The goals were scored by Saba Lobjanidze and Jamal Thiaré, with Brad Guzan making nine key saves during the match.
- This win means that Atlanta will face CF Montreal in a single-elimination playoff match, while Orlando City moves on to face Charlotte FC.
In the United States, on Saturday night, Atlanta United secured their place in the MLS Cup Playoffs with a narrow 2-1 victory over Orlando City in their last game of the regular season. The match took place in Orlando, Florida, where Saba Lobjanidze opened the scoring for Atlanta with a goal in the seventh minute, followed shortly after by Jamal Thiaré, who increased the lead to 2-0 in the 12th minute. Brad Guzan played a critical role for Atlanta, making nine saves throughout the match, underlining his importance in goal. Orlando City, who finished the season as the fourth seed, fought back with a goal from Martin Ojeda right before halftime, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Both teams needed this match to determine their playoff seeding, with Atlanta finishing the regular season at the ninth seed with an overall record of 10 wins, 14 losses, and 10 draws, while Orlando ended with 15 wins, 12 losses, and 7 draws. The playoff matchup has Atlanta set to face CF Montreal in a crucial single-elimination game, where the winner will advance to the next round against the top-seeded team, Inter Miami. Meanwhile, Orlando City will meet Charlotte FC in the first round of the playoffs. This victory was vital for Atlanta as they aim to make a deep run in the playoffs after a challenging season. The match highlighted the resilience of Atlanta United, showcasing their determination to succeed in postseason play despite the ups and downs of the league.