Last weekend… sucked. A 2-0 defeat to a struggling Nashville in an apathetic return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium was only the latest chapter in a season that seems to worsen at every turn. What’s next for Atlanta United, only four days following a morale-emptying loss? How about the league darling, Supporters Shield leading, star-laden Inter Miami?
It almost seems counter intuitive, opening stadium capacity up to over 70,000 for a midweek game at *this* point in *this* season, until you consider the opposition. The home environment will be different than Atlanta United has maybe ever experienced, save for the Campeones Cup. An uncanny atmosphere that may have more focus on players who may or may not see the pitch awaits Atlanta’s attempt at a rebound performance, something the Five Stripes are no stranger to pulling off. In fact, Atlanta have found victory over their South Florida opponents in their last two meetings, a 3-1 win down in Fort Lauderdale in May, and a 5-2 result when the sides played in the Benz last season.
The focal points of the match will travel, but Messi and Suarez both played full 90s on Saturday and are scheduled for another match this upcoming weekend. How much time will they get tonight? Who’s to say, but the two will at least be in the building. Who won’t be playing is Sergio Busquets, Tomas Aviles, Nicolás Freire, Noah Allen, and David Martinez, all key members of Inter Miami’s defense absent due to suspension or injury. If you still don’t want to get your hopes up, that’s valid too, but there is reason to expect at least some offensive output against Miami tonight.
Now two points back from D.C. United in the ninth and final playoff place, is it possible that Atlanta United responds in a quick turnaround against the league leaders and sweeps the home and home series? Or are we set for another dreadful evening in the Benz for the Five Stripes?
Kickoff from Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set for your typical 7:40 PM ET start, with streaming coming from Apple TV with a subscription to MLS Season Pass. Radio coverage is provided in English on 92.9 The Game and in Spanish on La Mejor.
Before then, move on down to the match thread in the comments below to discuss the pre, during, and post-match action from MessiMania.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
Inter Miami’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Kickoff Time: Wednesday, September 18th; 7:40 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: Apple TV (with MLS Season Pass Subscription)
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM
This thread will be your match thread. We don’t have many rules here. We just ask that you don’t insult each other personally and treat each other with respect. Debates can get heated and that’s fine, but name-calling and petty insults will get you banned. If you see a comment that you feel is out of line, please report it and it will be dealt with.
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It was an incredible finish. Honestly we were a little unlucky not to get the win. I loved to see the heart and fight
Miami were unlucky not to win.. The deflection off Amador on the goal line led directly to our second goal. If Amador isn’t in the exact right place at the exact right time, we’re down 3-1 instead of tied 2-2 and it’s game over.
What the heck is this team
Why can’t we see that sort of second half energy against crappy teams like Nashville
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Mosquera truly is terrible
abysmal…why isn’t wolff at least an option, or brennan? They both have better feet on the ball.
Bad luck Dax – both goals are deflections off him
(And that foul that lead to their second goal was total BS. How did he get swept off both feet at the same time when contact was barely made with one foot ?)
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This team is just miserable to watch.
Went out to dinner and missed the first half. Didn’t even have the urge to check the score while I was out. Wondering if we will get over 1.0xG
What a bunch of shitty players
I see that Miami is playing a reserve team (at least starting one).
I wonder if people learned their lesson from the last time Miami was in Atlanta. A lot of people paid a huge premium for tickets, and Messi didn’t even play.
If I had to wager on it, I’d bet he does not play tonight. It’s a midweek game after playing 90 and they have another game this weekend, as is pointed out in the article. Plus, this game doesn’t really mean anything for Miami in the standings.
I think a lot of fans are gonna be very disappointed tonight, and not just for the usual reason. For their sake, I hope I’m wrong.
And it’s on turf for whatever that’s worth in addition to everything you pointed out. They are top of the table by 10 points. I wouldn’t play him if I was Miami and Tata
Looking at Miami’s availability list, he may have to play just so they can field a team.
Happy for the fans that they got to see Messi play for a few minutes, at least.