Atlanta United have had a strange year. Over a four-month stretch last season, they sacked Head Coach Gonzalo Pineda, sacked Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra, and sold their two highest-profile players in Thiago Almada and Georgios Giakoumakis. It was scorched earth at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Ramiro Enrique scored his first playoff goal six minutes before halftime and Orlando City set a new franchise high-water mark with a 1-0 victory over visiting Atlanta United in Sunday's Eastern Conference semifinal.
With eight games remaining in the MLS regular season, Atlanta has risen to ninth place — good enough for the final playoff berth and with plenty of potential to move up higher. But what did it do? And can its success be replicated by other struggling franchises?