Deadspin: Atlanta United dash Toronto FC playoff hopes with three-goal win

Atlanta strikes twice before halftime

Atlanta opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Miguel Almiron redirected a through ball from Alexey Miranchuk past goalkeeper Gavran. It was Almiron’s seventh goal of the season.

Cooper Sanchez doubled the lead in the 40th minute, finishing Almiron’s cross with a first-time shot. Giuliano Galoppo nearly made it 3-0 before halftime, but his bicycle kick went over the bar.

Miranchuk extends the advantage

Atlanta led 2-0 at the break despite Toronto holding a slight possession advantage in the opening 45 minutes. Miranchuk scored in the 51st minute, finishing a rebound after Almiron’s attempt struck the post.

Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos made two saves. The win snapped Atlanta’s three-match losing streak and brought the team its first points since a 3-0 victory over CF Montreal on Oct. 14.

Toronto scores late, falls short

Toronto captain Jonathan Osorio sent a header wide in the 65th minute. Atlanta also threatened again, but goalkeeper Gavran stopped Jay Fortune’s shot and later denied Breel Embolo before Embolo’s rebound hit the woodwork.

Toronto scored in the 79th minute when a Josh Sargent attempt deflected to Morgan, who beat Hoyos. The goal made the score 3-1, but Toronto’s loss eliminated it from playoff contention.

Season series goes to Atlanta

Atlanta improved to 9-18-6, with 33 points, while Toronto fell to 9-12-12, with 39 points. Toronto failed to earn points for the second time in its last six matches, a stretch in which it went 3-2-1.