Match Preview: Atlanta United welcomes MLS leader Inter Miami CF for midweek meeting

First Touches

• Inter Miami head coach (and former Atlanta United head coach) Tata Martino confirmed Tuesday that Lionel Messi will travel to Atlanta for Wednesday's match. The superstar did not travel the last time Inter Miami CF played in Atlanta last season.
• Wednesday is a full-venue match. The third level of Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be open.
• Atlanta United is looking to bounce back after a tough loss at home to Nashville SC on Saturday.
• On Monday, the club announced the “MARTA Collection,” the first custom retail collaboration between Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and a professional sports organization. The retail line will be available for purchase at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Team Store on matchday.
• Who's in and who's out against Miami? View the Atlanta United Availability Report presented by Piedmont

Match Details

• Date: Wednesday, Sept. 18
• Kickoff time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Attending the match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium? View our detailed timeline and things to do before kickoff

How to watch, listen and live stream Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami CF

• TV: Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
• Listen: Local radio 92.9 The Game and La Mejor
• Live Stream: Stream on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app or visit https://tv.apple.com/
• Follow Along: Follow the match with real-time stats and live play-by-play on our Match Hub Page

Atlanta United looking to bounce back

Sometimes the best thing after a disappointing result is to hit the pitch as soon as possible, and a midweek matchup arrives at a good time for Atlanta. Saturday evening, Atlanta United suffered a tough loss at home to rival Nashville SC. The team looked lethargic, and interim head coach Rob Valentino called the performance "uninspiring."

It was surprising, given the amount of time Atlanta had to prepare and what the team showed in their two matches prior. Coming out of the Leagues Cup break, Atlanta traveled to the West Coast and kept up with the first-place team in the Western Conference for about 60 minutes until L.A. Galaxy scored two goals. Atlanta followed up that match with a strong win on the road at Bank of America Stadium, shutting out regional rival Charlotte FC. That's more on par with what Atlanta United will be looking to replicate Wednesday night.

• Tools To The Match: How Atlanta United bounces back with big performance against Inter Miami

Atlanta United won the last MLS two meetings with Inter Miami CF

The last time these two teams met at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in MLS play was in 2023. Atlanta won big with an impressive 5-2 scoreline that ended Miami's 12-match unbeaten streak. This season, Atlanta United and Inter Miami CF previously faced off on May 29. The 5-Stripes traveled to Chase Stadium to take on the leaders of the Eastern Conference. Atlanta United won that contest 3-1 on the road. Saba Lobjanidze scored his first career MLS brace and was voted MLS Player of the Matchday.

Lionel Messi played in that May match, and Atlanta United contained the world-class star for 62 minutes. He then scored on a left-footed, low-driven strike past a diving Josh Cohen, pulling one goal back for Miami. But that was all Miami got. Jamal Thiaré finished off a team goal to secure the three points for Atlanta.

Players to Watch

Alexey Miranchuk (Atlanta United) - The designated player saw his first minutes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday when Atlanta United faced Nashville SC. It wasn't the home debut the attacking midfielder was looking for as the team struggled to find any speed or rhythm throughout the night. With Atlanta scoring just one goal in the club's most recent three matches, look for Miranchuk to prove his quality and get the attack in gear in front of the home fans Wednesday night.

Luis Suárez (Inter Miami CF) - He's just one of the world-class names on a talented roster for Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino, but Luis Suárez has been experiencing an exceptional run of form lately. The Uruguayan internaional has scored five goals in three matches for the Herons, including both goals in the 2-0 shuout over FC Cincinnati on August 24.