After defeating CF Montréal in the Eastern Conference Wild Card game, Atlanta United advanced to the Round One Best-of-3 Series of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Their next task would be taking on the 2024 Supporters' Shield winner, Inter Miami CF.
Atlanta United falls 2-1 to Miami at Chase Stadium in the first game of the series. Saba Lobjanidze scores the goal for the 5-Stripes.
"The thing is they (Miami) create so many different types of opportunities, I can give them that, but those are the details in playoff games that make a difference," said interim head coach Rob Valentino after the match. "Obviously for us, the other day it helped us in our favor. But I think fatigue is a massive factor. The fact that these guys have been on six flights in five days, I’m so proud of them. They battled, they fought, they scrapped, they had a first minute goal, two injuries."
First Half: Inter Miami gets an early lead, but it was Saba Time
Inter Miami’s stars flexed their talent early as Luis Suárez scored his 22nd goal of the year and his first the playoffs only 2 minutes into the match. He was able to find space within Atlanta’s defenders to score from just 20 yards from the goal.
The start for Atlanta did not exactly go as planned as they had to deal with first half injuries. Luis Abram had to come in for Brooks Lennon, who took an awkward fall after battling for ball with Miami left back Jordi Alba in the 21st minute of the match. This was followed by homegrown Noah Cobb had to come in for Stian Gregersen in the 34th minute.
Despite the injuries, as well as Atlanta playing their third match in six days, the first half seemed to be indicative of Atlanta United in the past few weeks – resilient.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan continued his sharp form by keeping his team in the match as they began to pick up steam. One of his best in the first half coming in the 29th minute after he stopped a rocket of a shot from Marcelo Weigandt. After a less-than-ideal start with conceding the early goal and having to make two substitutions in the first half, they found their footing. Saba Lobjanidze, who now has four goals against Inter Miami this year, got the 5-Stripes on the board in the 39th minute.
It all started with veteran Dax McCarty getting the balling seamlessly into the final third. He got off the pass to Pedro Amador, who has been one of Atlanta’s strongest players since being acquired during the summer. His cross landed right on the foot of Lobjanidze. Due to the injuries, Lobjanidze had to adopt the role of the right wingback; his ability to get behind Miami’s defenders ended with Atlanta equalizing the match.
The 5-Stripes were able to close out the first half with much more momentum than what they started with.
"It was up there. It’s up there certainly with one of the tougher challenges we’ve faced," said Guzan at the post match media. "All the different elements, everything stacked against us. I’m really proud of the guys to continue to battle, especially going down early, find a way into the game. It took everything to go out there.”
Second Half: A fighting effort
To begin the second half Atlanta United made two more substitutions – Xande Silva for Alexey Miranchuk and Tristan Muyumba came in for Jay Fortune.
As the half began, it was clear to see that the 5-Stripes were fighting against some of the exhaustion that comes with playing the number of games they have in such a short period of time. Miami got the 2-1 lead in the 60th minute. The goal started as a corner opportunity, but Lionel Messi instead played the ball to Sergio Busquet. With all the players huddled near the goal, Inter Miami had more numbers, most notably Jordi Alba. He put the shot just within the right corner of the net.
Much like the first half, once the 5-Stripes were able to settle into the run of play, they were able to get more chances towards the net. Guzan was fantastic in the second half, making a total nine saves, many of them coming in the final 45 minutes. Lobjanidze almost equalized the match in the 71st minute after he made a long run down the pitch. Miami keeper Drake Callender was able to make the stop. For the first time in the night, it was Inter Miami who had to sit back and defend while Atlanta United pushed for a tying goal.
Final whistle sounded it was Miami that walked away with the first win, but Atlanta United put forth a valiant effort that they will be able to take into game 2. An effort seems to be a pattern for Atlanta United against Inter Miami CF. Before this match, they had a record of 1-0-1 against Miami. They won at 3-1 at Chase Stadium on May 29 and fought back to tie the September 18 match 2-2.
"Just that, we’ve got to keep our heads up, you’ve got to go again," said Guzan after the match about his message to the team. "I think I mentioned a week ago, I think before the Montréal game, we’ve had our backs against the wall for quite some time now. When our backs have been against the wall, we’ve found a way."
Inter Miami CF | Atlanta United | |
|---|---|---|
Shots | 22 | 7 |
Shots on target | 11 | 2 |
Corner kicks | 11 | 4 |
Fouls committed | 7 | 5 |
xG | 3.5 | 0.7 |
Possession | 60% | 40% |
Passing accuracy | 88% | 83% |
UP NEXT - Heading back to Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The schedule for the series is here:
- Friday, October 25 – 8:30 p.m. at Miami
- Saturday, Nov. 2 – 7:00 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta | View Tickets
- Saturday, Nov. 9 – 8:00 p.m. at Miami
This Best-of-3 series gives the lower seeds a chance to host a playoff match, which means the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs are coming to Atlanta. Seeing the playoffs in Atlanta, especially if the 5-Stripes can get a win in Miami in Game 1, will be a huge reason to fill the seats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
"I can’t wait to see them. I’m already buzzing about what that place is going to be like" said Valentino about Atlanta United supporters. "That’s what my message is to them, these people are waiting to cheer for you, you’ve been three on the road to finish into the playoffs and they’ve put those performances together and you can feel the buzz getting back for them and supporting them like they do."
