Gerardo Martino believes there is plenty to be positive about Atlanta United's future despite seeing his team miss out on a spot in the playoffs this season.
Martino optimistic about Atlanta's future despite missing out on playoffs
New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United both missed out on the playoffs this season, but they will be hoping to end their season on a high.
Atlanta had already been eliminated from postseason contention ahead of their 3-1 thrashing against Toronto FC last time out, with Miguel Almiron starring for the Five Stripes.
Martino's side went ahead early on through Almiron, who then teed up Cooper Sanchez before the break, with Aleksey Miranchuk then scoring just after the restart.
The win was just Atlanta's ninth in the MLS in 2026, with the Five Stripes 10 points adrift of the playoff places heading into their Decision Day clash with the New York Red Bulls.
It is the first time since 2022 that Atlanta have failed to reach the postseason, but Martino was optimistic of his team turning things around in their next campaign.
"We want to end the season well and why people should believe in this team is when someone watches the last game, whether it be in the stadium or on the TV, when you watch that team you can see the way the team can compete," Martino said.
"The team had an identity, and, especially with the way they performed knowing that the season is going to be over and in a match that did not have any consequences.
"Seeing the way the team competed shows we have something to build on for next season. It's about showing that attitude that this team possesses.
This weekend's clash at Sports Illustrated Stadium represents two sides who have underperformed this year, with NYRB also missing out on reaching the playoffs.
NYRB were hoping to take their postseason hopes to the final day of the regular season, and they looked in a good position to do so after going two goals up against Nashville SC.
However, the Supporters' Shield winners hit back three unanswered goals, two of which came from NYRB's Tim Parker and Julian Bazan, with Sam Surridge popping up with a 91st-minute winner to seal the win for Nashville.
"We're disappointed. We're really disappointed," NYRB Michael Bradley conceded when asked about his team's overall season.
"The work to become a really good team, the work to become a team that can hold up on the toughest days and that can play in the biggest games, compete in the hardest moments, that work is hard."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
NYRB – Julian Hall
NYRB's Hall scored his 13th goal of the season in Sunday’s defeat to Nashville, tying him with Ricardo Pepi (2021) and Diego Fagundez (2013) for most goals by a teenager in a single regular season in MLS history.
Hall's 31 starts are also tied for the second-most by a teenager in a regular season along with team-mate Adri Mehmeti this year, behind goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, who started 32 games with the Chicago Fire in 2022.
Atlanta – Miguel Almiron
Almiron has registered at least 60 shots, 60 chances created, seven goals and seven assists in an MLS regular season for the second time (also 2018).
All other Atlanta players have had one such season (Thiago Almada in 2023, which is one of the many reasons why they failed to reach the playoffs this term.
MATCH PREDICTION: NYRB WIN
Atlanta earned a 2-1 home win against NYRB when the teams met in August, with the Five Stripes looking to record consecutive wins against them for the first time. NYRB would be the 25th different club that Atlanta has won consecutive matches against across all competitions.
The Five Stripes finished their win over Toronto with an expected goals (xG) value of 4.60, the club's highest ever in an MLS match. Their 3.56 xG in the second half was the third-highest in the second half by any team in an MLS match over the last 10 seasons (San Jose 4.18 vs. Austin in 2026, Toronto 3.72 vs. Chicago in 2018).
After qualifying for the playoffs an MLS-record 15 straight seasons from 2010-2024, NYRB will miss the MLS Cup Playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in club history. The Red Bulls have conceded 62 goals so far this season, the third-most in a regular season in club history (64 in 1999, 63 in 1998).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
NYRB – 47.6%
Draw – 26.1%
Atlanta – 26.3%
