It was a busy decision day in MLS, and all the action didn’t disappoint the 17ers. Atlanta United traveled to Florida to face regional rival Orlando City SC with a possible playoff spot on the line. The 5-Stripes got off to one of their best starts of the season, earning a 2-1 victory over Orlando.

Goals from Saba Lobjanidze and Jamal Thairé sealed the deal for Atlanta. With a little help from some other results, Atlanta United also secured a spot in the top 9 of the Eastern Conference and qualified for the playoffs.

“I’m really proud. There are many emotions. I feel great joy for the people, the players, the staff, the people in the club, who have had a tough year,” said interim coach Rob Valentino after the game. “I don’t know if that justifies it, it just shows that if you keep showing up you can achieve anything.”

On the day of the decision, both sides had something to offer. Atlanta United had not yet qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs and needs a win over Orlando City SC to qualify. A win plus two of the three following scenarios would secure Atlanta a spot in the playoffs. Orlando City SC had secured participation in the playoffs, but a place in the top four is not guaranteed. They needed a result to hold off New York City FC and secure home advantage.

In addition to a win, Atlanta United needed the following two requirements to make it to the playoffs:

• A loss for CF Montréal at home against New York City FC
• A loss for DC United at home to Charlotte FC
• A draw OR a loss for Philadelphia Union at home against FC Cincinnati

Atlanta got some help from rival Charlotte FC in a 3-0 win over DC United. CF Montreal defeated New York City FC 2-0.

Saba Lobjanidze continued his winning streak with big goals for Atlanta United. The 5-Stripes gave Orlando an advantage by maintaining possession and pushing toward the net. Defender Pedro Amador, one of Atlanta’s best players since taking over in July, teamed with Lobjanidze to move the ball into the final third. In just the seventh minute of the game, a quick pass from Amador led to Lobjanidze getting the ball past Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Just nine minutes later, the 5-Stripes doubled their lead. Alexey Miranchuk took the corner for Atlanta. Gallese was unable to gain firm possession of the ball from the set piece, resulting in the ball bouncing off Atlanta United players – Tyler Wolff, Bartosz Slisz and Derrick Williams. After hitting Williams, the ball went straight to striker Jamal Thiaré, who fired it into the bottom right of the net.

The last time Atlanta United looked this strong from a set piece was on July 20, when Stian Gregersen’s two headers from corners beat the 5-Stripes over reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew 2-1. Before this game, Atlanta United had only scored in the first 45 minutes, four times this season.

“It was huge. It could have been 3-0, we had a few other chances,” said defender Derrick Williams about the 2-0 lead at halftime. “I’ve played so many games where you’re 2-0 up. They always say in football that it’s difficult when the other team gets one and then they get the momentum and sometimes you score or lose the game. “We can hold on with a 2-1 win, especially away from home against Orlando. It’s a great day, the odds are against us, and I’m happy for our fans too.

Similar to some of the other clubs Atlanta United have played against recently, such as the Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC’s game plan is to dominate in possession. The 5-Stripes managed to keep them at bay for the first 40 minutes of the first half, but Orlando came into the game in the 42nd minute^nd Minute. Orlando forced the turnover, got behind the Atlanta defenders and advanced into the final third. Rafael Santos ran down the ball before making a cross to Martin Ojeda. The Argentine winger headed the ball past Brad Guzan for Orlando.

With a one-goal lead and a possible playoff spot, Atlanta United had to decide after halftime whether to keep pushing and go for goal number three or sit back. They came out with full force and earned a penalty. Miranchuk, who had scored two goals in the year leading up to this game, had his left-footed shot parried by Gallese.

As time passed and the second half began and Orlando continued to press, Atlanta United made defensive-oriented substitutions. Most notably, Dax McCarty, who announced back in August that he would be retiring at the end of this season, played the final game of his MLS regular season career in his hometown of Orlando.

Veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan was a brick wall for Atlanta United from kickoff. His first big save of the game, and possibly the biggest save of the 2024 season, came in the first five minutes of the game. A flying left hand save to keep the score at 0-0; Two minutes later, Lobjanidze scored the first goal. Guzan’s prowess continued to shine in the second half of the game, particularly as Orlando City began to push for an equalizer. His best save of the second half came in the 86th minute when he caught a point-blank header from Orlando center back Rodrigo Schlegel.

Guzan wasn’t the only one who helped the 5-Stripes win. In the 89th minute of the game, it seemed as if Orlando City had made it 2-1 with a goal from Duncan McGuire. After further review by the video assistant referee (VAR), the goal was disallowed due to a handball. Atlanta would finish the game with a win.

Atlanta United won in Orlando. Additionally, the team received help from other teams in the conference. Wins by Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati helped Atlanta United climb the table and extend their season.

Atlanta United has booked its ticket to the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. They will be the No. 9 seed and face No. 8 CF Montréal in the Wild Card Game on October 22nd.

“It’s really the same mentality because we knew at the start that we had to win the game to give ourselves a chance and it will be the same in Montreal,” Valentino said. “You have to win the game to give yourself a chance to advance. That won’t change, but now the boys have to start the next game as fresh as possible.”