Atlanta United’s Almiron out minimum 3 weeks

September 16, 2017 Atlanta - Orlando City SC defender Jonathan Spector (2) challenges Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron (10) in the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, September 16, 2017. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

September 16, 2017 Atlanta - Orlando City SC defender Jonathan Spector (2) challenges Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron (10) in the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, September 16, 2017. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron is expected to miss a minimum of three weeks after he sustained a injury to his left hamstring during Sunday’s 2-0 win against Montreal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The team announced Almiron’s injury and prognosis on Monday after he saw a physician.

Atlanta United is third in the MLS Eastern Conference. The Five Stripes will host Philadelphia on Wednesday. Atlanta United (14-8-7) needs one more win to become the first expansion team since Seattle in 2009 to qualify for the postseason.

Almiron, a 23-year-old native of Paraguay, has nine goals and leads the team with 13 assists. He has started every game. He was also voted to the MLS All-Star Game.

Almiron sustained the injury in the first half of Sunday’s game and was subbed out in the 17th minute. He was replaced by Julian Gressel.

If Almiron’s injury timetable holds true, he could return for the playoffs.

The first-round games will be played Oct. 25 or 26. The first leg of the semifinals will be played at the site of the higher seed Oct. 30 or 31. The second leg will be played at the home of the lower seed Nov. 5. The Eastern Conference championship’s first leg will be held at the home of the higher seed Nov. 21, with the second leg Nov. 28 or 29.

The MLS Cup will be held Dec. 9 at the site of the competing team with the best regular-season record.

Almiron’s injury means he will miss Paraguay’s upcoming World Cup qualifying games.

After hosting Philadelphia, Atlanta United will have three regular season games remaining. It will host Toronto in its regular-season finale on Oct. 22.

Additionally, fullback Greg Garza, who has missed the past three games with a hamstring injury, is listed as questionable for the Philadelphia game. He has returned to training. The 26-year-old has started 24 games, scored two goals and added five assists.