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Inter Miami 2, Atlanta United 1: Suarez and Alba help secure Messi’s first MLS Cup Playoff match

Posted on by Pranco
Inter Miami 2, Atlanta United 1: Suarez and Alba help secure Messi’s first MLS Cup Playoff match

Despite InterMiami earning the first win of the best-of-three series in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, Atlanta United didn’t roll over. On Friday, the team even made the Supporters’ Shield winners look human Lionel Messi.

The Miami captain’s first MLS play-off match was a thrilling affair, with Inter Miami beating the visitors 2-1. Miami takes a 1-0 lead against Atlanta on November 2. Despite goalkeeper Brad Guzan‘s best efforts, Luis Suarez And Jordy Alba With one goal apiece, victory was secured for the home side. Atlanta winger Saba Lobjanidzewho scored four times against Miami this year, briefly equalized in the 39th minute before Alba scored golazo in the second half.

Former Atlanta manager Tata Martino, now with Miami, will be welcomed to Atlanta as he looks to take down the club he led to MLS Cup glory in 2018.

Paul Tenorio and Felipe Cardenas were on hand in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to capture the biggest moments from Friday’s playoff game.

An early warning and a winner in the second half

On Friday night, it felt like Atlanta United goalkeeper Guzan was unbeatable.

Suarez had beaten Guzan just two minutes into the match to give Inter Miami an early lead. But after that goal, no matter how Miami challenged Guzan, the goalie had an answer. Then, from a short corner kick, as the match neared the hour mark, Messi received the ball near the corner of the penalty area. Two Atlanta United defenders closed him down and Messi made a quick pass to Alba.

From well outside the penalty area, Alba looked up, took a touch and pinged a shot that beat Guzan at the near post. It was a stunning result – a special goal on a night when it looked like it would take something special to break the game open.

The goals were also a reminder of what has made Inter Miami so dangerous this season and what will make things difficult in these play-offs. Two of the team’s biggest stars, Suarez and Alba, provided the biggest moments. Miami’s star quartet: Messi, Alba, Suarez and Sergio Busquets – together good for 45 goals and 46 assists this season. They contributed two goals and two assists on Friday.


Brad Guzan made several key saves for Atlanta. (Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images)

Guzan denies Messi several times

Anyone would spend a lot of money on Messi’s goal from a point-blank shot from an opponent’s 6-yard box. Right? On Friday night, Guzan, the 40-year-old Atlanta United goalkeeper, denied Messi from close range, which would have given Miami a 3-1 lead. After Guzan’s unlikely save, Messi looked at the American goalkeeper in disbelief. How did that not happen? Messi then angrily kicked the ball towards the corner flag.

Guzan, the former US international goalkeeper, was Atlanta United’s best player in 2024. He was crucial in keeping the match close despite being under constant pressure. Atlanta lost two starting defensemen, Brooks Lennon and Stian Rode Gregersen, injured in the first half. What could have gone wrong, went wrong for the visiting team.

“I liked what we did tonight. We were in control. Without Brad’s performance we would have scored more goals,” said Martino, who previously coached Guzan in Atlanta.

But it doesn’t matter what the final score is MLS’ best-of-three series. There is no shared goal to move a team forward. Losing a close game against the league’s best team will salvage enough confidence for Atlanta that a win is possible in Game 2.

For Guzan, who still has an option year left on his contract, age is just a number.

A busy week is catching up with Atlanta

Ranked ninth in the Eastern Conference, Atlanta had to get through the play-in game to make it to Friday night’s opener. That meant a turnaround from Saturday-Tuesday-Friday in Orlando, Montreal and Fort Lauderdale.

In some ways, a 2-1 loss probably felt a bit like a victory.

Atlanta United made two substitutions in the 35th minute due to an injury. They made two more changes at half-time. Miami, meanwhile, had almost the entire week off and only made a substitution in the 68th minute, with Messi, Busquets, Alba and Suarez playing the full 90 minutes.

The home field advantage and fresher legs were on display for a long time on Friday night, but Miami’s inability to find a second goal in the opening half hour allowed Atlanta to hang around. Ultimately, Miami’s control of the game weakened Atlanta, and Alba’s finish provided the margin. The toll the week took on Atlanta was clear. After hitting one last kick in the final seconds of the match, even Guzan needed a second on the ground to catch his breath and recover.

Atlanta will now get a much-needed full week off to recover before homecoming in a must-win game to keep the season alive.

What did Miami head coach Tata Martino say?

Speaking about playing against Atlanta: “It was important for us to beat Atlanta for the first time this season. It’s remarkable that we won when we did. It’s a complicated side. Well coached. Rob (Valentino) did a great job. Atlanta didn’t need to come out in the second half and try to win. They could have played for penalties. The revenge match in Atlanta will be difficult. They benefit from the space on the field.”

What next in the series?

Saturday November 2: Match 2 in Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 7:00 PM ET

Saturday November 9: Game 3, if necessary in Miami (Chase Stadium), 8:00 PM ET

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(Top photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images)