ORLANDO, Fla.  — Thiago Almada scored in the 72nd minute and Raul Gudino stopped three shots as Atlanta United defeated Orlando City 1-0 on Wednesday night.

The loss was the second in a row for Orlando City after the Lions captured the U.S. Open Cup championship last week.

Orlando City’s loss clinched a playoff berth for the New York Red Bulls, the team’s 13th consecutive postseason appearance. New York became the third Eastern Conference team to clinch a berth after the Philadelphia Union and CF Montreal.

Orlando City is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference table but is tied with FC Cincinnati and just one point ahead of the seventh-place Columbus Crew. If they remain in that spot, the Lions would not host a first-round playoff game. Eighth-place Inter Miami FC is three points back, just out of the playoff picture. 

With just four games left in the regular season, Lions coach Oscar Pareja said he is still optimistic his club can make a playoff push.

“We're professional players. We're professional coaches," Pareja said. "We got to bring (Major League Soccer) playoffs to Orlando. We need to. But we move on. There's 2-1/2 days to concentrate on the next one."

Pareja said the Lions need to focus less on the table and more on doing what it takes to win the final few games.

Pedro Gallese saved three shots for Orlando City.

Both teams play on Saturday. Atlanta (10-12-9) hosts the Philadelphia Union, while Orlando City (12-12-6) hosts Toronto FC.