Almiron returns, McCann out for playoff series against NYCFC

ATLANTA (AP) — MVP finalist Miguel Almiron is set to return for Atlanta United in the MLS playoffs, but the team will be without defender Chris McCann because of strained left quad.

Manager Tata Martino said Almiron is available for Sunday's Eastern Conference semifinal game against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium after missing the final two matches of the regular season with a hamstring injury. The All-Star midfielder tallied 12 goals and 14 assists this season.

The team said Friday that McCann will miss about least three weeks after being injured in United's 4-1 loss at Toronto last weekend. That rules him out for the two-legged series against New York, which concludes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Nov. 11.

If United advances to the conference final, McCann would likely be available since that series doesn't begin until Nov. 25.