Atlanta United will seek to keep up their MLS Playoff hopes alive when they take on Inter Miami this midweek.
Atlanta United will aim to move above the playoff line in Major League Soccer when they host Inter Miami at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday. With a 2-0 defeat to Nashville SC this past weekend, the Five Stripes find themselves two points below DC United in the Eastern Conference standings, although they do hold a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami continue to lead the Supporters’ Shield race, seven points clear of the LA Galaxy, following a remarkable 3-1 comeback win against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
It was a rocky start for Atlanta United against Nashville SC, conceding after just five minutes and struggling to create quality chances despite managing five shots on target. Under interim head coach Rob Valentino, Atlanta’s recent form has been inconsistent, with the team failing to score in three of their last four matches in all competitions. During that stretch, they have only won once—1-0 against Charlotte FC.
Home form has been shaky for the Five Stripes, who can now secure a maximum of eight regular-season home victories this year, which would still be two fewer than they managed in the 2023 campaign. They have lost six home games in MLS this season, three more than the entire 2023 campaign, raising concerns about their playoff aspirations.
In their last three matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta United have failed to win, scoring in just one of those games—a thrilling 3-3 draw against DC United in the Leagues Cup. However, Atlanta can take some confidence from their previous performances against Florida-based teams, having a 100% record this season, including a convincing 3-1 win over Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale back in May.
Inter Miami continue to live up to their reputation as the comeback kings of MLS, reacting brilliantly to conceding an early goal against Philadelphia Union to win 3-1. The Herons are comfortably sitting atop the Eastern Conference, 10 points ahead of FC Cincinnati, and can hit the 20-win mark in MLS with a victory on Wednesday. This would double their win total from last year (10), highlighting their remarkable progress under Tata Martino.
One of the most striking aspects of Miami’s season is their ability to fight back when falling behind. They have come from behind to earn a result on 15 different occasions in MLS this year, showing resilience and tactical prowess. Offensively, they have been lethal, scoring a league-high 65 goals, with only one of those goals coming from the penalty spot.
In their last six domestic away fixtures, Miami has won five, with their only defeat being a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of FC Cincinnati in early July. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
Atlanta United
Atlanta United will continue to be without reserve goalkeeper Quentin Westberg, who missed the weekend’s match due to a head injury. Midfielder Ajani Fortune made his return to the lineup, playing 71 minutes after previously being sidelined by a knock. Tristan Muyumba also rejoined the squad on Saturday, coming off the bench as a second-half substitute for Bartosz Slisz. These returns add some depth to the midfield options for coach Rob Valentino.
The last time Atlanta United faced Inter Miami in a domestic contest, they secured a comprehensive victory. Saba Lobzhanidze notched a brace, while Jamal Thiare also found the back of the net in that convincing triumph in May. This performance has set a positive tone for the upcoming rematch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as Atlanta will look to replicate that success and bolster their playoff hopes.
In terms of the formation, Brad Guzan is expected to start in goal, bringing his veteran presence between the posts. Brooks Lennon and Stian Rode Gregersen will take up the right-back and centre-back positions, with Luis Abram partnering Gregersen centrally and Pedro Amador occupying the left-back role. In midfield, Bartosz Slisz and Dax McCarty will provide defensive coverage and link play from the back.
Further up the pitch, Saba Lobzhanidze, who has been in excellent form, will operate on the right of the attacking trio, with Aleksei Miranchuk positioned centrally and Edwin Mosquera on the left. Leading the line as the lone striker in this 4-2-3-1 formation will be Daniel Ríos, who will look to capitalize on the creativity behind him. This setup gives Atlanta a balanced approach, combining defensive solidity with offensive creativity.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Guzan; Lennon, Rode Gregersen, Abram, Amador; Slisz, McCarty; Lobzhanidze, Miranchuk, Mosquera; Rios
Inter Miami
Inter Miami will be without several key players for their upcoming clash against Atlanta United. Matias Rojas is nursing a sore ankle, CJ dos Santos remains sidelined due to a hand injury, Leo Afonso is dealing with a groin strain, and Lawson Sunderland is recovering from a hamstring issue.
Meanwhile, both Nicolas Freire and Facundo Farias are continuing their rehabilitation from ACL tears, keeping them out of action. To compound matters, Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles will be suspended after accumulating yellow cards in their victory over Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
On the brighter side, Lionel Messi returned to action in style after recovering from the ankle injury he sustained in the Copa America final. The Argentine superstar scored twice, while his longtime teammate Luis Suarez netted his 17th goal of the 2024 MLS campaign, placing him just two goals behind Christian Benteke in the Golden Boot race. Messi’s return is a huge boost for Inter Miami as they head into the match against Atlanta.
For the match, Drake Callender is expected to start between the posts. The back four will likely feature Marcelo Weigandt at right-back, with Serhiy Kryvtsov and Ian Fray forming the central defensive pairing, and Jordi Alba holding down the left-back position. In midfield, Julian Gressel, Victor Ruiz, and Federico Redondo are expected to operate in a three-man midfield, tasked with linking the defence and attack.
Up front, Lionel Messi will take his position on the right wing, looking to create and score, while Luis Suarez will lead the line as the centre-forward. Robert Taylor, a versatile attacker, is likely to round out the front three by playing on the left wing. This 4-3-3 formation should provide Inter Miami with plenty of attacking options as they seek to maintain their winning form despite the absence of several key players.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Callender; Weigandt, Kryvtsov, Fray, Alba; Gressel, Ruiz, Redondo; Messi, Suarez, Taylor
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- Atlanta United have suffered six home defeats in the league this year, which is three more than they experienced in the entire 2023 MLS campaign.
- Inter Miami have been deadly in attack, leading MLS with 65 goals this season, despite only being awarded one penalty throughout the campaign.
- In 2024, Inter Miami have come from behind to earn a result in 15 MLS matches when conceding the opening goal, showcasing their resilience.
- Atlanta have failed to score in three of their last four matches across all competitions, highlighting their recent offensive struggles.
- Inter Miami have won five of their previous six away matches in MLS, including all of their away games since suffering a heavy 6-1 loss to FC Cincinnati in early July.
Player to Watch
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi remains the key player to watch in this matchup. After returning from an ankle injury sustained in the Copa America final, Messi immediately made an impact, scoring twice in Inter Miami’s 3-1 victory over Philadelphia Union.
His exceptional vision, creativity, and finishing ability make him a constant threat in the final third. With 17 goals in the 2024 MLS season, Messi is chasing the Golden Boot and will undoubtedly be the focal point of Miami’s attack against Atlanta United. His influence could be the decisive factor in this contest, especially considering his ability to change games single-handedly.
Prediction
Atlanta United 1-2 Inter Miami
While Atlanta United have been formidable against Florida-based teams this season, their shaky home form combined with Inter Miami’s red-hot attacking prowess could see them fall just short. Miami’s ability to come from behind and their consistency on the road make them slight favourites to claim all three points in a tightly contested affair.