Atlanta United clinched qualification to the 2019 Concacaf Champions League with a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire on Sunday, which was a goal for the club heading into season.
As currently constructed, they'd be in serious contention to be the first MLS team to ever win the competition, but there are rumors aplenty surrounding the club for next season. Miguel Almiron is heavily rumored to transfer to Europe while Tata Martino is reported to be Mexico's next manager, starting in December.
"It's tough to know," captain Michael Parkhurst said after the game. "We don't know who's going to be part of the team right now. To qualify is one thing, but the pressure is on MLS teams to go out there and do well, we think we can go out there and represent MLS well."
While Parkhurst and the squad are more than excited to qualify for the CCL, they have much to play for in 2018. On Decision Day presented by AT&T this Sunday, they head to Toronto knowing a win means the Supporters' Shield, and all-time record for most points in a season, is theirs.
"It was a goal of ours coming into the season, so it's always nice to achieve goals," Parkhurst said. "We wanted to avoid a first-round game, we did that. We wanted to qualify for the champions league, we did that. We wanted to win the Supporters' Shield — that's next."
They were spoiled the opportunity to win the Shield in front of their home fans last weekend as the New York Red Bulls kept pace by earning a gritty 1-0 win at Philadelphia. Parkhurst says he was aware of the score of the Red Bulls' game immediately after the final whistle, knowing straight away that it was going to head into Decision Day.
Parkhurst even recreated his in-the-moment reaction:
"Darn."
