Playoff chasing Toronto FC strive for win in Atlanta

Toronto FC’s playoff hopes are still within reach.

A 2-1 win over D.C. United on Wednesday and other MLS results helped immensely. Now, TFC will want to end the season with some wins. This Sunday afternoon, the Reds visit a lowly Atlanta United side.

These two clubs last squared off on Apr. 25 at BMO Field. Atlanta defeated TFC 2-1 on a rainy Saturday afternoon by the shores of Lake Ontario.

Courtesy: Shaun McLeod/Canadian Soccer Daily

Tata Martino’s Atlanta

For the past season and a half, Atlanta United were struggling to get consistent output from Ivorian striker Emmanuel Latte Lath. The now 27-year-old never really found his footing with the Georgian club after signing from Championship side Middlesborough in February 2025, for a hefty price tag of $22 million plus add-ons. That fee was the largest amount paid by any MLS team at that point. In 44 league matches played, Latte Lath scored nine goals and added three assists in just over 3100 minutes of action.

Owner Arthur Blank and head coach Gerardo Martino decided that Latte Lath needed a change of scenery and loaned the Ivorian to Union Berlin on Aug. 2 and found their replacement just a few weeks later.

Swiss striker Breel Embolo signed with The Five Stripes on Aug. 23 The 29 year-old had spent the bulk his career in the Bundesliga and Ligue 1. Embolo played with Schalke and Borussia Mönchengladbach before making a move to France in 2022, signing with Monaco for €12 million. He scored a career-best 12 goals in his debut season with Les Monégasques. Embolo then moved to Rennes on a four-year deal that was penned ahead of the 2025-26 season. He netted eight league goals in 31 appearances.

Embolo started all six of Switzerland’s matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the bout between Canada and Switzerland at BC Place, Embolo assisted what turned out to be game-winning goal that made Switzerland winners of Group B. Also in Vancouver, Embolo scored the opening goal in an eventual 2-0 win over Algeria in the Round of 32. The Swiss were victorious over Colombia in the Round of 16 – a game that was decided with a penalty shootout.

He recorded four goal contributions in four consecutive World Cup matches. That streak began in the Swiss’ opening match vs. Qatar as he scored the lone goal for his nation in a shocking 1-1 draw. Embolo notched an assist in the Rossocrociati’s 4-1 drubbing of Bosnia and Herzegovina. His World Cup ended on a sour note when he was sent off in the quarterfinal loss to Argentina on July 11.

Needless to say, Embolo is more than capable of putting together consistent performances that can span many matches.

Atlanta’s four most recent matches saw them earn three points. The only victory came on Oct. 14 when ATL defeated CF Montréal 3-0 at Stade Saputo.

Two consecutive home losses at Mercedes-Benz Stadium occurred on Oct. 17 against Inter Miami and Oct. 24 vs. Chicago Fire. A four-minute brace from legend Lionel Messi secured three points for the Herons. Chicago scored three unanswered goals before Embolo netted a consolation goal in the 68th minute — Atlanta were unable to find a leveller.

This past Wednesday, Atlanta suffered a late defeat to NYCFC at Citi Field that officially eliminated Martino’s side from playoff contention. New York forward and Ivorian international Bénie Traoré bagged the game-winner in the 95th minute to give the Pigeons a 2-1 result. Embolo scored his fourth goal of the season which tied the match in the 88th minute.

ATL has accumulated 14 points from 16 home matches and 23 goals were scored. Paraguayan attacker Miguel Almiron leads the team with 14 goal contributions (6G, 8A). Russian international Aleksei Miranchuk has six goals and seven assists. Since signing for The Five Stripes, Embolo logged 10 starts and played slightly under 900 minutes. 37 year-old Argentinian goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos posted five clean sheets to date.

Two tough away matches remain for Toronto

TFC’s final two battles of the regular season take place at venues where the Reds haven’t won since 2019. Toronto’s last victory in Atlanta was the 2019 MLS Eastern Conference final, which occurred almost exactly seven years ago to the day that this weekend’s match is being played. That playoff bout was quite memorable for the TFC faithful – goalkeeper Quentin Westberg (who eventually suited up for the Five Stripes) denied striker Josef Martínez’s penalty attempt in the first half. Midfielder Nick Deleon etched his name in club folklore for scoring the game-winning goal from about 25 yards out. The Reds have never won a regular season matchup as Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Could that change this weekend?

On Nov. 7 (MLS Decision Day), Toronto FC visits The City of Brotherly Love to take on Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park. In their last five visits to Philadelphia, the Reds have been outscored 12-3. The Union have had an incredible second half of the season, led by interim head coach and former TFC defender Ryan Richter. Looking at the slight bright side for Toronto, their last two trips to Philly ended in draws (1-1 in 2024 and 0-0 in 2025).

Although Toronto FC still has to rely on other results to go their way in the next week, TFC’s fate lies in their hands.

Tune in to TSN 3 or MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Kick-off is set for 4:30 p.m. ET.

Projected lineups

Atlanta United: Hoyos; Jacob, Díaz, Alonso, Báez; Galoppo, Muyumba, Fortune; Miranchuk, Embolo, Almirón

Toronto FC: Gavran; Laryea, Kuscevic, Gomis, Pereira; Dorsch, Osorio; Sallói, Mihailovic, Corbeanu

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