MLS Cup Round 1 preview: Everything you need to know
The MLS Cup playoffs kick off Saturday, with six Round 1 matches getting things underway. We break down each contest and make our predictions.
2019 Schedule
All times ET
Atlanta United FCATL019/1010:00 AM
0NENE- Atlanta United FCATL3FT1NENE
MTLMTL1FT1Atlanta United FCATL
NYCNYC4FT1Atlanta United FCATL- Atlanta United FCATL3FT
1SJSJ 
CINCIN0FT2Atlanta United FCATL- Atlanta United FCATL1FT
3CLBCLB 
PHIPHI3FT1Atlanta United FCATL- Atlanta United FCATL2FT
1MINMIN 
ORLORL0FT1Atlanta United FCATL
PORPOR0FT2Atlanta United FCATL- Atlanta United FCATL3FT
2AMEAME - Atlanta United FCATL2FT1NYCNYC
- ORLORL0FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL3FT
0LALA 
LAFCLAFC4FT3Atlanta United FCATL- Atlanta United FCATL2FT
0DCDC - Atlanta United FCATL5FT
0HOUHOU 
SEASEA2FT1Atlanta United FCATL- Atlanta United FCATL2FT
0STLSTL - Atlanta United FCATL3FT
3NYNY 
CHICHI5FT1Atlanta United FCATL- Atlanta United FCATL2FT1MTLMTL
TORTOR3FT2Atlanta United FCATL- CLBCLB2FT3Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL3FT
1CHRCHR
2019 Schedule
2nd in Major League Soccer
Atlanta United FCATL313/6FT1CHRCHR- CLBCLB218/6FT3Atlanta United FCATL
- TORTOR326/6FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL229/6FT1MTLMTL
- CHICHI53/7FT1Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL37/7FT3NYNY
- Atlanta United FCATL210/7FT0STLSTL
- SEASEA214/7FT1Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL517/7FT0HOUHOU
- Atlanta United FCATL221/7FT0DCDC
- LAFCLAFC426/7FT3Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL33/8FT0LALA
- ORLORL06/8FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL211/8FT1NYCNYC
- Atlanta United FCATL314/8FT2AMEAME
- PORPOR018/8FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- ORLORL023/8FT1Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL227/8FT1MINMIN
- PHIPHI331/8FT1Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL114/9FT3CLBCLB
- CINCIN018/9FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL321/9FT1SJSJ
- NYCNYC425/9FT1Atlanta United FCATL
- MTLMTL129/9FT1Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL36/10FT1NENE
- Atlanta United FCATL019/10h:mm a z, US/Eastern0NENE
Twellman: Josef Martinez has a chip on his shoulder (1:41)
Atlanta United topple Revs in playoff prelude (1:22)
Atlanta's Martinez gets final call on injury return
Atlanta United boss Frank de Boer says it's up to striker Josef Martinez whether he returns from a right leg injury against New England on Sunday.
Family, teammates have Barco primed to be a difference-maker
Ezequiel Barco left Argentina at 18, but struggled to adapt to life in MLS. Now he's grown into Atlanta's best bet to repeat as MLS Cup champions.
Martino: MLS can someday be as big as NBA
Mexico manager Tata Martino: 'At some point MLS will have the same relevance as NBA, it's a great spectacle.'
Impact eliminated from postseason race after draw
Montreal's Bojan Krkic scored the tying goal in the 81st minute as the Impact held on to earn a 1-1 draw with visiting Atlanta United on Sunday.
Atlanta manage draw without Martinez (1:12)
Atlanta's Martinez won't play for Venezuela coach
Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez said he will not play for Venezuela's national team as long as Rafael Dudamel is the coach.
Mitrita hat trick sees NYCFC past Atlanta United
Alexandru Mitrita recorded a hat trick over a 21-minute span of the first half, and Eastern Conference-leading NYCFC beat Atlanta United.
Mitrita's first-half hat-trick paces NYCFC (1:54)
Mitrita's screamer puts NYCFC in front (1:14)
Ex-U.S. defender Parkhurst retiring after season
Atlanta United captain Michael Parkhurst will retire after the season, ending a 15-year career in which he was one of the top defenders in MLS.
Martinez injury nothing serious - Atlanta's De Boer
Josef Martinez is expected to be sidelined at least one match with a knee and ankle injury he suffered on Saturday, according to his coach.
Josef Martinez's record streak ends in Atlanta win (1:49)
Atlanta's Martinez injured as goals streak ends
Atlanta United leading scorer Josef Martinez was stretchered off with a leg injury in a 3-1 defeat of the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Martinez goal streak hits 15 games in Atlanta win
Josef Martinez scored twice to extend his MLS-record goal-scoring streak to 15 games as visiting Atlanta United defeated FC Cincinnati 2-0.
Josef Martinez extends record scoring streak to 15 (1:24)
Mexico's Alvarez hits back at De Boer jabs
Edson Alvarez was unhappy with Ajax youth coach and club legend Ronald de Boer's comments about the 21-year-old lacking the creativity.
Crew post pivotal win, rally past Atlanta United
The Columbus Crew rallied on second-half goals by Gyasi Zardes and Luis Diaz and added a late own goal to defeat Atlanta United 3-1 on Saturday.
Columbus stun Atlanta on the road (1:54)
Atlanta United strive to hurt Crew's playoff chances
Defending MLS Cup champion Atlanta United can clinch a playoff spot with a home win against the desperate Columbus Crew on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz
Union back atop East after huge win over Atlanta
Kacper Przybylko and Sergio Santos scored late goals Saturday and the Philadelphia Union rallied to defeat Atlanta United 3-1 on Saturday.
Union back atop the East after massive win over Atlanta (1:42)
Atlanta defeat Minnesota to win US Open Cup (1:53)
2019 MLS Ladder
| TEAM | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City FC | 34 | 18 | 10 | 6 | +21 | 64 |
| Atlanta United FC | 34 | 18 | 4 | 12 | +15 | 58 |
| Philadelphia Union | 34 | 16 | 7 | 11 | +8 | 55 |
| Toronto FC | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | +5 | 50 |
| DC United | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | +4 | 50 |
| New York Red Bulls | 34 | 14 | 6 | 14 | +2 | 48 |
| New England Revolution | 34 | 11 | 12 | 11 | -7 | 45 |
| Chicago Fire | 34 | 10 | 12 | 12 | +8 | 42 |
| Montreal Impact | 34 | 12 | 5 | 17 | -13 | 41 |
| Columbus Crew SC | 34 | 10 | 8 | 16 | -8 | 38 |
| Orlando City SC | 34 | 9 | 10 | 15 | -8 | 37 |
| FC Cincinnati | 34 | 6 | 6 | 22 | -44 | 24 |
2019 Team LeadersMajor League Soccer
- Goals
- Assists
RankingsMajor League Soccer
Goal Difference153rd
Goals Scored58Tied-3rd
Assists34Tied-11th
Goals Conceded43Tied-5th