Preview: Atlanta United vs. Lionel Messi, Inter Miami in MLS Cup Playoffs Round 1 opener

Now, the MLS Cup Playoffs can truly begin for Atlanta United.

After Josef Martinez’s second-half brace erased a 2-0 Atlanta lead and sent Tuesday’s MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card match against CF Montreal to penalties, the Five Stripes won the resulting shootout 5-4. That earned them a trip to the best-of-three Round One against Inter Miami, the runaway favorite and No. 1 seed. And, of course, a showdown with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

While Miami certainly isn’t a new opponent for Atlanta United, it’s clear where the sentiment lies among the national media as just about every pundit has tabbed the Herons to easily advance to the Eastern Conference Seminfinals. Atlanta, though, have a Georgia-sized chip on their shoulders, the plucky underdogs that have boasted a never-say-die attitude over an emotional past few days.

But while they took down Orlando City and CF Montreal in the span of 72 hours, Tata Martino’s side represents the biggest challenge yet.

How Inter Miami got here

Outside of missing Messi for 15 regular-season matches plus all of Leagues Cup, the path has been fairly smooth for Inter Miami, whose 74 points in the 2024 MLS regular season is a league record. They’ve lost four times, including a 3-1 loss to Atlanta on May 29; since their most recent defeat July 6 against FC Cincinnati, they’ve gone 8-0-3, including a 2-2 result at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 18.

Miami’s 79 goals leads MLS, and while their attack has been elite, their defending has been mid-tier, giving up 49 goals (the same number as Atlanta). Perhaps that’s an area to exploit throughout the series.

Players To Watch

Atlanta United

Pedro Amador has been a very underrated signing for Atlanta United at the left back spot and is, in my opinion, the exact player Garth Lagerwey desires for his rebuild of the club. Amador’s 25, nearing his prime and, while nowhere near a household name as a free transfer, has steadily grown into his role since joining the club. His assist to Brooks Lennon on Tuesday’s opening goal — his fifth in 10 matches across all competitions — was excellent. Fortunately, despite being taken off early in the second half, he will be available on Friday.

Inter Miami

Picking either Messi or Suarez is low-hanging fruit, so Benja Cremaschi will get the nod here. Cremaschi is one of the top young midfield talents in MLS, and it’s not unreasonable to think that the Olympian will be closely monitored for a bigger role on the USMNT senior roster with fellow Argentine Mauricio Pochettino at the helm. He came in at No. 6 on the annual MLS 22 Under 22 rankings; Miami teammate Diego Gomez topped the list while Federico Redondo came in at No. 5.

The History

It’s not the first time you’ve heard this stat, but it bears mentioning that Atlanta is the only MLS team to not lose to Inter Miami in the regular season. A pair of Saba Lobjanidze goals were the difference in the May 29 win while Alexey Miranchuk’s late stunner salvaged a draw in the return fixture back at the Benz, and by many accounts, Atlanta had an opportunity to walk off the pitch a winner in that one as well.

But this is an entirely new competition, and Miami is chock-full of players that have big game experience, chief among them their No. 10.

Availability Reports

Atlanta United

Out: Edwin Mosquera (ankle); Quentin Westberg (concussion protocol)

Atlanta United Predicted Starting XI

Prediction: Inter Miami 2-0 Atlanta United

Inter Miami will be more than up for the challenge in the first home playoff match in club history. Messi and Suarez will find the back of the net as the Herons claim their first-ever postseason win while dealing Atlanta a taste of humble pie ahead of Game 2 at the Benz.

Image credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images