Match Preview: Atlanta United travels to Subaru Park to face Philadelphia Union | Atlanta United FC

The MLS Cup Playoffs are closer than it feels, and following this weekend, we’ll enter the same month as Decison Day. October 19 is looming, and a postseason berth is not out of the cards for both these Eastern Conference teams. Philadelphia Union enters Saturday’s contest in ninth place with 36 points. Atlanta United sits two spots below in 11th with 33 points.

Just three points separate Atlanta United from the playoff line in the table, which would mean a wild card play-in match between the No. 8 and No. 9 teams in the conference. Nine Eastern clubs are within a 10-point range of each other, and there’s a lot that could shake up with four matches remaining in Atlanta United’s season.

Atlanta holds an all-time record of 5-4-5 against Philadelphia Union. The last time these two teams met was earlier this season back in April. Daniel Ríos and Caleb Wiley each scored in the second half to give Atlanta a comfortable lead, but the Union fought back with a pair of goals in four minutes to split the points at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Brad Guzan (Atlanta United) – The veteran goalkeeper for Atlanta United is quietly having a good season in his eighth year with the club. Last weekend, Atlanta’s big, bald wall recorded a season-high eight saves in the draw at Red Bull Arena, including a clutch penalty kick save in the 87th minute. The standout performance earned the 40-year-old a nod on MLS Team of the Matchday, his second time earning the honor in 2024.

Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union) – On the other side of the pitch, the player to keep an eye on for Philadelphia Union is another MLS Team of the Matchday representative. Homegrown midfielder Quinn Sullivan’s two assists powered the Union to a 4-0 win over D.C. United last time out. The result strengthened Philadelphia’s hold on the ninth and final postseason bid.