Atlanta United and Portland Timbers advance, will meet in 2018 MLS Cup
November 30,2018
The final is set. On Saturday, Dec. 8, Atlanta United will host the Portland Timbers in MLS Cup 2018. Both teams advanced to the final on Thursday, setting up a highly-anticipated battle with a ton of South American flair. Atlanta is the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, and Portland is the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.
In just the franchise's second season, Atlanta United is into the MLS Cup. After beating the New York Red Bulls 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Championship first leg on Sunday, the club went on the road and lost 1-0 on Thursday on a late goal, advancing to the final 3-1 on aggregate.
In the second leg on Thursday, Atlanta United was more than comfortable, focusing on doing what it could to keep the Red Bulls' attack at bay. And while Chris Armas' team had no trouble scoring for the majority of the year, Atlanta nearly shut them out. The Red Bulls were top five in goals scored during the regular season, yet the team could not put more than one past Atlanta over 180 minutes, as the club moved within potentially 90 minutes of its first title. Tim Parker scored a goal from close 94 minutes in for the lone goal.
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