Atlanta United picks up crucial point in 1-1 draw at Inter Miami CF

Atlanta United battled back to pick up a crucial point on the road Wednesday night, drawing Inter Miami CF 1-1. Jake Mulraney scored a dramatic 83rd minute equalizer that saw Atlanta erase what appeared to be a devastating Miami goal just three minutes prior. The draw keeps Atlanta above the playoff line with five matches remaining.

Brad Guzan made the first of five key saves in the sixth minute, denying Gonzalo Higuaín from a quick counterattack started by Lewis Morgan. Minutes later, Miles Robinson made a key block in the 14th minute, diving in the way of what appeared to be an open shot on goal from Higuaín.

Things stayed level until the 80th minute, where Atlanta had appeared to be on its way to securing a hard-fought goalless draw. However, Brek Shea finished off a long sequence by hammering home a cross from Morgan to give Inter Miami the lead.

Atlanta quickly answered, though, as Mulraney capped off a brilliant counterattack. Jürgen Damm combined with Cubo Torres to free Damm along the right wing. From there, Damm sped into the box, made a defender miss and squared a ball to a wide-open Mulraney, who beat John McCarthy with a low shot to the goalkeeper’s right.

The match broke wide open for the final eight minutes with each team having a chance to find the game-winner. Ultimately, Atlanta (5-9-4, 19 points) was able to pick up the draw. It returns to action Sunday, Oct. 18 against Toronto FC at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut (7:30 p.m., FOX Sports Southeast, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game, La Mejor). 

MATCH INFO 

Atlanta United 1, Inter Miami CF 1

Inter Miami CF Stadium

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

STATS

Shots: 21-3 Inter Miami

Shots on Target: 6-1 Inter Miami

Corner kicks: 3-3

Fouls committed: 18-17 Inter Miami

Clearances: 15-3 Atlanta

Offside: 3-0 Inter Miami

Possession: 55-45 Inter Miami

Passing Accuracy: 85-81 Inter Miami       

SCORING SUMMARY

MCF – Brek Shea (Lewis Morgan) 80’ [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL – Jake Mulraney (Jürgen Damm) 83’ [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

ATL – Eric Remedi (yellow) 8’

ATL – Brooks Lennon (yellow) 48’

ATL – Adam Jahn (yellow) 69’

ATL – Laurence Wyke (yellow) 86’

MCF – Wil Trapp (yellow) 90’

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan; George Bello, Miles Robinson, Anton Walkes, Brooks Lennon (Laurence Wyke – 81’); Jeff Larentowicz © (Mo Adams – 57’), Eric Remedi, Emerson Hyndman; Manuel Castro (Jürgen Damm – 57’), Adam Jahn (Jake Mulraney – 70’), Jon Gallagher (Cubo Torres – 81’)

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Fernando Meza, Mattheus Rossetto, Tyler Wolff.

INTER MIAMI CF STARTING LINEUP

John McCarthy; Ben Sweat, Leandro González Pirez, Nicolás Figal, Dylan Nealis; Wil Trapp, Blaise Matuidi, Victor Ulloa (Federico Higuaín – 87’); Lewis Morgan, Gonzalo Higuaín, Matías Pellegrini (Brek Shea – 77’)

Substitutes not used: Drake Callender, AJ Delagarza, Mikey Ambrose, Jay Chapman, Juan Agudelo, Julián Carranza, Robbie Robinson.

OFFICIALS

Ismail Elfath, (referee), Brian Poeschel, (assistant), Jose da Silva, (assistant), Elvis Osmanovic, (fourth), Younes Marrakchi (VAR).

TEAM NOTES

• Jake Mulraney came on in the 70th minute and scored his first goal with the club.
• Brooks Lennon led the team each with six recoveries, six tackles won and three interceptions.
• Anton Walkes had a game-high six clearances and four blocks.
• Jeff Larentowicz made his 435th MLS Regular Season appearance, second all-time by a field player in MLS history behind Kyle Beckerman (496).
• Larentowicz also started his 396th MLS Regular Season match, third all-time by a field player behind Kyle Beckerman (461) and Chad Marshall (404).