Atlanta beat Toronto FC 3-1, ending playoff hopes

ATLANTA – Toronto FC were eliminated from Major League Soccer playoff contention for the sixth straight season, losing 3-1 to Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday.

Miguel Almiron and Alexey Miranchuk each had a goal and an assist for Atlanta, and Cooper Sanchez also scored. Almiron opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, playing a give-and-go with Miranchuk before slipping the ball past goalkeeper Luka Gavran.

Sanchez made it 2-0 in the 40th minute with a one-touch finish after Almiron dribbled along the end line and found him near the penalty spot. Miranchuk put the game out of reach in the 51st minute, cleaning up a rebound after Almiron’s shot hit the post.

Substitute Lewis Morgan scored for Toronto in the 79th minute with a volley from the centre of the box, set up by Josh Sargent.

Toronto (9-12-12) had earned points in four of its previous five MLS games, including a 2-1 win over D.C. United in which Sargent scored late. Before that game, we looked at the playoff hopes that were on the line. Toronto has now gone 0-5-5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium since October 2017.

Atlanta (9-18-6) ended a six-game winless run at home. Toronto had lost 4-2 to Columbus in its previous road game.

Toronto visits the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. Atlanta visits the New York Red Bulls on the same day.

Via The Associated Press and ESPN match data.

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