Things to know about Atlanta United this week

Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan salutes Josef Martinez after he scores the MLS season tieing record goal number 27 against the Columbus Crew in a MLS soccer match on Sunday, August 19, 2018, in Atlanta.  Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan salutes Josef Martinez after he scores the MLS season tieing record goal number 27 against the Columbus Crew in a MLS soccer match on Sunday, August 19, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Five things to know about Atlanta United this week:

1. Atlanta United defeated Colorado 3-0 on Saturday behind two goals and an assist from Miguel Almiron, two assists by Julian Gressel and a sterling return to the starting lineup by Darlington Nagbe.

2. Atlanta United's road trip will continue with a game at struggling San Jose (4-16-8) on Wednesday. With a win, Atlanta United can set an MLS record for victories on the road (10) in the post-shootout era, and it can tie the record for points earned on the road (32) in the post-shootout era. The team is also still pacing to at least tie the record for points in a season (69) set by Toronto last year.

3. There is more at stake than that record this week for Atlanta United. Should it defeat San Jose and Real Salt Lake on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it can clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs if NYCFC doesn’t win its game against Montreal on Saturday.

4. With his results on Saturday, Almiron has 11 goals and 12 assists this season. He is one of just three players in the league this season to reach double-digits in both categories. The others are Diego Valeri and Sebastian Giovinco.

5. Almiron and Julian Gressel each have 12 assists, just three behind league-leader Borek Dockal of Philadelphia. Almiron and Gressel each have more than 20 assists in the past two seasons. They are two of 10 players that have done that this season.