FIVE STRIPES WILL RETURN JULY 11 VS. RED BULLS

Atlanta United’s schedule for the MLS tournament in Orlando, Fla., was released by the league Wednesday. The Five Stripes will open against the New York Red Bulls at 8 p.m. July 11 (Fox) and will continue with Cincinnati at 9 a.m. July 16 (ESPN) and finish with Columbus at 8 p.m. July 21 (TUDN).

If Atlanta United finishes as one of the top two teams in its group, it will advance to the knockout round of the tournament. Atlanta United President Darren Eales said the team will travel to Orlando seven days before its first game. Each of the league’s 26 teams will compete in the group stages. The games in the group stage will count toward the regular-season standings.

Atlanta United is 2-0-0, with wins at Nashville and against Cincinnati before the season was suspended March 12 because of concerns about COVID-19.

The quarterfinals will consist of the top three teams from Group A, which features six teams, and the top two teams from the remaining five groups. In addition, the three remaining teams with the most points will advance. The knockout rounds will be played July 25-28, the quarterfinals July 30-Aug. 1, the semifinals Aug. 5-6 and the championship game Aug. 11. The tournament champion will receive a berth into the 2021 Champions League.

Cincinnati includes former Atlanta United players Greg Garza and Brandon Vazquez. Cincinnati is 0-2-0 this season, with a 3-2 loss at the Red Bulls and 2-1 loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Columbus features former Atlanta United player Darlington Nagbe. It is 1-0-1 with a 1-0 win against NYCFC and a 1-1 draw at Seattle.

The Red Bulls are 1-0-1, with the win against Cincinnati and a 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake. If Atlanta United wins its group, its first knockout round match will come July 28 against the runner-up in Group D, which consists of Colorado, Minnesota, Real Salt Lake and Sporting KC. If Atlanta United is runner-up, its match will take place July 28 against the winner of Group F, which consists of Houston, L.A. Galaxy, LAFC and Portland. If Atlanta United moves to the knockout round as a wild card, it would play July 25 against the winner of Group A, which consists of Chicago, Miami, Nashville, NYCFC, Orlando and Philadelphia, or it will play July 26 against the winner of Group D.