ATLANTA— Atlanta United was drawn into Group E for the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, Fla. and will face FC Cincinnati, New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC in the group stage.
The tournament kicks-off on July 8 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The schedule, including specific matchup dates and full broadcast details, will be announced at a later date. For more information on the Competition Format and Key Dates see below.
Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra was one of six club representatives that helped determine the Group Stage of the MLS is Back Tournament in a live draw on Thursday. After being drawn into Group E, Atlanta United learned its opponents for the group stage. FC Cincinnati is the No. 2 seed, New York Red Bulls No. 3, and Columbus Crew SC No. 4 seed.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage, while the four best third-place teams also move on. Each group stage match will also count towards the 2020 MLS Regular Season standings. Atlanta United enters the tournament with a 2-0-0 record and atop the Eastern Conference standings.
For a full recap on the MLS is Back Tournament draw, Click Here.
COMPETITION FORMAT
Each team will play three group stage matches, and those results will count in the 2020 MLS regular season standings. After 16 consecutive days of group stage matches, the top two teams from each group along with the four best third-place finishers will move on to the knockout stage. The knockout stage will include a Round-of-16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Championship match will take place on August 11. Matches tied at the end of regulation in the knockout phase will proceed directly to a penalty kick shootout. Click Here for the MLS is Back Tournament Competition Guidelines.
MLS worked with U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer and Concacaf to institute a one-time change to MLS berths to the annual Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. The MLS is Back Tournament winner will earn a spot in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, regardless of whether it is a U.S. or Canadian club. The winner would replace the berth previously awarded to the MLS regular season points leader in the conference opposite of the 2020 Supporters’ Shield winner.
In addition to matches that count in the regular-season standings and the Champions League berth, players will have the opportunity to earn additional bonuses as part of a $1.1 million prize pool.
KEY DATES
June 24: Teams begin arriving in Florida
July 8: MLS is Back Tournament group stage begins
July 25-28: Round-of-16
July 30- Aug. 1: Quarterfinals
August 5-6: Semifinals
August 11: MLS is Back Tournament Final
MLS IS BACK TOURNAMENT (July 8 – August 11)
Number of Matches: 54 (39 groups; 15 knockouts)
Number of Matchdays: 26
FORMAT
Group Stage, followed by Round-of-16,
Quarterfinals, Semifinals & Championship match
Minimum Matches: 3 (per club)
Maximum Matches: 7 (per club)
