The stage is set for an intriguing clash as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami embark on their Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup Playoff campaign, facing a resurgent Atlanta United in the Round One series opener on Friday night.
Miami enters the postseason riding a wave of momentum, having clinched the Supporters’ Shield as the regular season’s top team. The Argentine superstar, Messi, is in peak form following a summer of recovery from an ankle injury sustained during international duty at the Copa America. His brilliance was on full display in the final regular season match, where he came off the bench to score a stunning hat trick in a 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution. This remarkable performance capped off an impressive regular season for Messi, who amassed an astounding 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 appearances, propelling Miami to a new MLS regular-season points record of 74.
Head coach Tata Martino, in his post-game comments, expressed the team’s shared sense of accomplishment, stating, “For the team, it’s a boost of confidence, more confidence. The truth is, it’s a victory for all of us who make up the Inter Miami family. It’s hard to make this an individual achievement; I think it’s the triumph of everyone.”
Standing in their path is a ninth-seeded Atlanta United side that has navigated a tumultuous season. Head coach Gonzalo Pineda was relieved of his duties in early June, and key attackers Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis were transferred abroad over the summer. Despite these setbacks, Atlanta managed to secure a playoff berth on the final day of the regular season, edging out Orlando City with a 2-1 victory. They then overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to defeat CF Montreal in penalty kicks following a 2-2 draw in the Eastern Conference wild-card game. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who had made a crucial error in the second half, redeemed himself by saving a penalty kick in the shootout, as Atlanta converted all their kicks.
Atlanta’s recent resurgence under interim head coach Rob Valentino has instilled a newfound resilience, evident in their three-game unbeaten streak. Valentino, reflecting on the team’s recent turnaround, acknowledged the lack of a clear explanation but expressed his satisfaction with the team’s newfound fortitude. “I don’t have a perfect answer (for why) but I’m just glad it’s happening now,” Valentino said. “I think that over time we would see something like this. That was our internal belief.”
With Messi leading the charge for Miami and Atlanta displaying newfound grit, this first-round playoff series promises to be a captivating clash between two teams on contrasting trajectories. The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown that could potentially redefine the trajectory of both teams’ seasons.