ATLANTA -- Atlanta United begins its quest for a Major League Soccer championship Sunday when the New York Red Bulls roll into the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Leg 1 kickoff of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference championship is set for 5 p.m.
Atlanta (21-7-6, 69 points), the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, faces top seed New York Red Bulls (22-7-5, 71 points) in a matchup of the two teams with the most points in MLS in 2018.
Atlanta United advanced to the Eastern Conference Championship by defeating New York City FC by an aggregate score of 4-1. Atlanta earned a 1-0 victory at Yankee Stadium in Leg 1 on Nov. 4, becoming just the second team to beat NYCFC on its home field in 2018. Midfielder Eric Remedi scored his first career goal, while Atlanta held
NYCFC without a shot on target for the first time this season. Atlanta won 3-1 in Leg 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Nov. 11 behind goals from MLS Best XI performers and MVP candidates Josef Martinez and Miguel Almirón. Martinez opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 25th minute, Almirón added a perfectly struck free kick in the 42nd and Martinez tallied his second goal in the 83rd minute to seal the win. With the brace, Martinez equaled the MLS single-season record of 33 goals in a season, including playoffs.
New York Red Bulls advanced to the Eastern Conference Championship by defeating Columbus Crew SC 3-1 on aggregate. After falling 1-0 in Leg 1 in Columbus, Red Bulls responded with a 3-0 win at Red Bull Arena with goals from midfielders Alex Muyl (17’) and Daniel Royer (73’, 76’).
MATCH INFORMATION
Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA 5 p.m.
Atlanta United (21-7-6, 69 points) vs. New York Red Bulls (22-7-5, 71 points)
