Nothing to lose for NYCFC, Atlanta in last gasp for playoff bid

Field Level Media|published: Tue 27th October, 21:46 2026

Oct 17, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC defender Thiago Martins (13) runs with the ball during the first half against the Los Angeles FC at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images

With both teams' playoff hopes hanging by a thread, New York City FC host Atlanta United on Wednesday.

NYCFC (8-12-11, 35 points) are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, four points behind the ninth-place New York Red Bulls for the final postseason berth. New York City FC will be eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday with a loss or draw to Atlanta combined with a Red Bulls win over New England, or a loss to Atlanta and a Columbus Crew win over FC Dallas.

Even winning all three of their remaining matches wouldn't guarantee NYCFC a playoff berth, though such a late surge seems unlikely given the club's current form. NYCFC are on a six-match (0-3-3) winless drought, and are 1-6-7 in their last 14 regular-season matches.

"The position we're in now, we don't have (anything) to lose anymore," captain Thiago Martins said. "We need to go forward, we need to score goals and we need to try to win games ... We put ourselves in this stage, but we have three more games. We're going to fight until the end to try something."

Goalkeeper Matt Freese left Saturday's 2-2 draw with Orlando City with an apparent arm injury, but New York City coach Pascal Jansen said Freese hasn't been ruled out for Wednesday. Jansen also said Keaton Parks could "maybe" play Wednesday after missing NYCFC's last nine matches with a leg injury.

Atlanta United (8-17-6, 30 points) are in 14th place in the East, and all but officially out of the postseason race. The Five Stripes are 1-3-0 in their last four matches, with all three losses coming at home; one more loss or draw would seal their elimination.

"I think this needs to be (a lesson) for us for the (last) couple of weeks," striker Breel Embolo told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Chicago Fire.

"If we're going to be a good team, it's good for the team to learn about this hard moment ... We need to take it and try to find the best thing out of this bad situation."

Atlanta defender Enea Mihaj will miss Wednesday's match due to a hip injury.

Nicolas Fernandez leads New York City FC with 15 goals. Miguel Almiron and Alexey Miranchuk share Atlanta's scoring lead with six goals apiece.

NYCFC and the Five Stripes played to a 2-2 draw in Atlanta on Sept. 26.

--Field Level Media

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