The New York Red Bulls needed three goals - at least - in the second leg of the 2018 MLS Eastern Conference Final to have any hope of advancing to play for MLS Cup. In the end, they found one - and that only arrived after all hope of winning the series against Atlanta United had expired.
Losing the series meant Atlanta got to celebrate being Eastern Conference Champion on the field at Red Bull Arena, which made RBNY’s 1-0 win feel like a loss. And, of course, it was a loss: Atlanta knew losing by a goal or two was an entirely acceptable result and never had to worry about losing control of the series.