Atlanta and Nashville end playoff hopes for Toronto and New York Red Bulls

Miguel Almirón and Alexey Miranchuk each scored and assisted as Atlanta United defeated Toronto FC 3-1 on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Cooper Sánchez added the third goal for the home side, ending a six-game winless streak at home. The result eliminated Toronto from the Major League Soccer playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. Toronto had collected points in four of its previous five matches, but the loss sealed its fate in the Eastern Conference.

Almirón opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. He exchanged a pass with Miranchuk before chipping the ball over goalkeeper Luka Gavran. It was Almirón's seventh goal of the season and Miranchuk's eighth assist. Sánchez extended the lead to 2-0 in the 40th minute. Almirón carried the ball down the left sideline and found Sánchez unmarked near the penalty spot, who finished the chance from the first touch.

Miranchuk made it 3-0 in the 51st minute. He capitalized on a rebound that struck the post following a long-range shot by Almirón. Lewis Morgan, who entered the game as a substitute in the second half, scored for Toronto in the 79th minute to narrow the gap.

In the other Eastern Conference match, Nashville SC defeated the New York Red Bulls 3-2 on a rainy Sunday. The victory ended the Red Bulls' playoff aspirations. Nashville overcame a two-goal deficit using two own goals and a late strike by Sam Surridge in stoppage time. The win extended Nashville's unbeaten run to nine games.

Nashville finished the season unbeaten at home for the second time in club history. The team had already secured the Supporters' Shield, the award for the best regular-season record in the league. Nashville tied the MLS single-season point record of 74 established by Inter Miami in 2024 with one game remaining. The club also set a new league record for points earned on its own field, totaling 44.

The losses for Toronto and New York guaranteed a playoff berth for the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference. The Crew secured its spot through the results of Sunday's doubleheader. Atlanta and Nashville will now prepare for the postseason, while Toronto and New York conclude their 2026 campaigns.