Atlanta United secured a place in the 2023 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs with a 4-1 win over CF Montréal the night of Saturday, September 23.
It’s the fifth time Atlanta United has made the postseason since its inaugural season in 2017. The club previously qualified in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021.
The 5-Stripes entered the match in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings, and the formula for clinching was simple: win and in. In the case of a draw, Atlanta United could've also earned a spot given the results of a couple of different conference matches tonight.
Atlanta United has already secured a seventh position in the Eastern Conference standings, which automatically qualifies them for Round 1 of the Playoffs, avoiding the Wild Card match. The 5-Stripes have one more match of the Regular Season at FC Cincinnati (Decision Day | Sat., Oct. 21).
The 2023 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs are expected to begin Wednesday, October 25 with the Wild Card matches, which Atlanta United has already skipped.
Back in February, MLS announced its new playoff format for 2023 which includes a Wild Card match in each conference followed by the Round 1, which now includes a Best-of-3 series. Following that, four teams in each Conference will face off in the Conference Semifinals, to later advance to the Conference Finals. The Audi MLS Cup will be played on December 9.
Atlanta United will play in the Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs, which consists of a Best of 3 series taking place between October 28 - November 12. Atlanta United will play the first match away and then come home to face the same opponent one week later at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. If a third match is needed for Round One, the 5-Stripes will head back on the road to decide who advances to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Exact time and dates will be determined after Decision Day on October 21.
