I've been trying to determine how tiebreakers work in the Group Stage if all three teams are tied. The regulations aren't entirely clear about what happens if there is a 3-way tie.
Obviously, the same tiebreakers apply as in a 2-way tie, but once you hit a tiebreaker that differentiates between the 3 teams, there are different ways to apply it.
- Drop the lowest team and then re-run the tiebreakers for the other two.
- Elevate the highest team and then re-run for the other two.
- Use that single tiebreaker to rank all 3 teams.
Each of the three methods leads to a different outcome.
Let's assume Toronto beats Atlas 2-0. Under method 1, Toronto is dropped on goal differential, and re-running the tiebreakers has Atlas winning the group because they beat us head-to-head. Under method 2, we win the group because we have the highest goal differential, and Atlas is eliminated because they lost head-to-head against Toronto. Under method 3, we win the group, Atlas is 2nd and Toronto last.
Given the wording in the regulations, I think they will use method 3. This means in Mark G's Ouroboros infinity loop scenario, head-to-head will be tied and the first tiebreaker is really goal differential.
So, for NYCFC to win its group, Toronto has to beat Atlas by 8 goals or fewer.
