Post by hokesmyth on Sept 25, 2018 12:23:52 GMT -5
Atlanta looks to clinch CCL spot against Red Bulls on Sunday
Sunday’s heavyweight matchup between the top two teams in the league, Atlanta United and New York Red Bulls, could help determine which club receives the top spot in the 2018 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs along with a spot in the 2019 Concacaf Champions League (CCL). A victory by Atlanta United would clinch Atlanta’s spot in the 2019 CCL with the most combined points between the 2017-2018 seasons, just out of reach of the second-place Red Bulls. Similarly, an Atlanta victory would also put the club in the driver’s seat to have the top spot in the Eastern Conference, along with the most points overall in the league, heading into the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. Plenty will be at stake on Sunday when the Red Bulls host Atlanta at Red Bull Arena (1 p.m. ET, ESPN / WatchESPN / ESPN Deportes).
Currently sitting at 63 points with four matches remaining this season, Atlanta United is also in contention to break the MLS record for most points ever in a regular season, a mark set last year by Toronto FC with 69 points. The Red Bulls with 59 points this season could also break the record with a near-perfect finish to the regular season as both clubs fight for history and the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Another record-breaking performance to watch is that of Atlanta United forward Josef Martínez, whose 30 goals scored this season set a new MLS single-season record. The 25-year-old could also score the most goals of any player in the world over a single season from 2017-2018, a mark currently held by both Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) and Jonas (Benfica) with 34 goals each in their 2017-2018 season. The Red Bulls, meanwhile, are looking for their third Supporters’ Shield in six seasons.
Sunday’s heavyweight matchup between the top two teams in the league, Atlanta United and New York Red Bulls, could help determine which club receives the top spot in the 2018 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs along with a spot in the 2019 Concacaf Champions League (CCL). A victory by Atlanta United would clinch Atlanta’s spot in the 2019 CCL with the most combined points between the 2017-2018 seasons, just out of reach of the second-place Red Bulls. Similarly, an Atlanta victory would also put the club in the driver’s seat to have the top spot in the Eastern Conference, along with the most points overall in the league, heading into the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. Plenty will be at stake on Sunday when the Red Bulls host Atlanta at Red Bull Arena (1 p.m. ET, ESPN / WatchESPN / ESPN Deportes).
Currently sitting at 63 points with four matches remaining this season, Atlanta United is also in contention to break the MLS record for most points ever in a regular season, a mark set last year by Toronto FC with 69 points. The Red Bulls with 59 points this season could also break the record with a near-perfect finish to the regular season as both clubs fight for history and the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Another record-breaking performance to watch is that of Atlanta United forward Josef Martínez, whose 30 goals scored this season set a new MLS single-season record. The 25-year-old could also score the most goals of any player in the world over a single season from 2017-2018, a mark currently held by both Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) and Jonas (Benfica) with 34 goals each in their 2017-2018 season. The Red Bulls, meanwhile, are looking for their third Supporters’ Shield in six seasons.