Lionel Messi and his boys rolled back up to Atlanta looking for revenge against the Five Stripes for the shocking upset handed to them in the 2024 playoffs by the likes of Brad Guzan, Jamal Thiare, and Xande Silva. Inter Miami brought a full squad, with Messi, Suarez, Alba, and Busquets all starting for their side, while Atlanta pushed out a lineup consisting of Brooks Lennon’s first minutes in 2025, plus the full contingent in the attack with Miguel Almiron, Latte Lath, Saba Lobjanidze, and Alexey Miranchuk. 90 minutes and three total goals later, and Atlanta came out the other side the 2-1 losers. Here are the final whistle thoughts from Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Cheap goals
Atlanta got off to a flying start thanks to a homecoming gift to Latte Lath courtesy of Brooks Lennon, and the star striker almost had a brace a few minutes later. He was just offside, however, and Miami went the other way and scored off a cheap giveaway in Atlanta’s defense. Those are the silly moments where Atlanta United is shooting themselves in the foot. Miami already has enough talent (read: Messi), they don’t need help scoring goals. The second goal by Miami wasn’t much better, as it trickled by Brad Guzan off a weak header where no one cleared the ball. Four games into the season and Atlanta has to get those mistakes under control.
Brooks Lennon
It was good to see Brooks back in the lineup, especially considering it was this Miami team that he last faced in MLS. The guy is relentless, and what a way to start off your 2025 season than by finding Latte Lath for an opening header? And don’t get it twisted, this is nothing against Matt Edwards at all. He’s performed admirably in the first few matches, but Brooks Lennon has another level of engine that keeps him rolling for 90 minutes and beyond. He also didn’t seem to have any concerns about his shoulder, and didn’t spend time laboring on it or treating it lightly. Solid signs from a guy who has consistently led the team in minutes over the past few years.
Plus, he’s now tied for the Atlanta United all time assist record, side-by-side with none other than Julian Gressel.
Second half
The second half struggles are going to be a point of contention until they aren’t. This particular second half was pure back-and-forth football. Both sides created chances, both sides got forward, and both sides had some nervy defensive moments. For Atlanta’s part, it was certainly better, if not still slightly frantic at times. The improvements were there, though, and that’s a good sign.
The late goal by Miami to make it 2-1 in favor of Messi’s side was simply unfortunate to watch. It was the weakest of dinky headers that squeaked out wide by Brad Guzan, in a match where he once again flew all over the box to stop the Barcelona 2.0 guys.
And for the attack’s part? It has to be better. The goals have to start flowing, and Atlanta United needs to play the protagonist for a full 90 minutes. The connections need to get crispier, and the breaks have to be more precise.
I wasn’t going to put this in but…
It doesn’t do the league any favors with the “Messi this, Messi that” stigma when the refereeing against Atlanta was so pathetic tonight. It was objectively bad. You can’t talk about this game without talking about the reffing, unfortunately. Did Atlanta deserve the result? Maybe. But that was bad.
On the flip side, some fans were seen throwing all kinds of “stuff” at the refs as they left the pitch. Don’t do that. It’s crap behavior, and it does nothing for anyone.
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I think this was overall a solid performance from the team and 1-1 would have been a fair result. We went head-to-head with one of best teams in MLS and held our own.
That said once again (every match) Guzan is a liability. Any decent keeper would have stopped that second goal. I was in line with the header in the stadium and he didn’t react to a weakish header till the ball was beyond him. His ability to react instinctively is gone. Look at his reaction after the goal, he knows it. If I am being picky, he is also at fault for the first. He parried a cross into the middle of the pitch that he should have held onto.
Can’t imagine playing hard for 90 minutes against top opposition to have this clown fluff his lines (again).
While I think you are being harsh with Guzz, I mostly agree with you. He had some good saves but we need a better and CONSISTENT keeper. Against Charlotte, that second goal was pitiful. Guzz is just not quick enough to make those super saves. I’m thinking we need a different formation to beef up the defense. On the opposite end, RRN is not a great keeper but his defense protected him well. We really did not test him.
Agree with you.
I am more positive on this team than many in these comments. I think the pieces are mostly there if we can fit them properly into place. The playing style is much better than a year ago.
Need to stop giving the ball away on the edge of the box though.
I just wondered why he “dove” up in the air and not sideways on the second goal?
Like he just jumped straight up in the air.
Dear Atlantistas: my Gremio tied Inter 1×1, lost 3×1 aggregate, and therefore lost the meaningless state championhip to our rivals. Sucks, but just a little.
On the other hand, I think Atlanta played pretty much like a MLS team, against a Miami that is playing (and winning) in two competitions. This number 10 is killing your midfield, the distribution of talent is poor, and how can your defense give Messi that ball?
I can´t see why Atlanta hired this coach, but I can see why they should unhire him, and get a really good one instead: you have a season to save, after too many seasons lost. This guy ain´t got it.
I am beginning to have serious doubts about this coach also. Of all the MLS teams sporting new coaches, we are at the bottom along with Chicago (somebody can fact check me on this). Miami has fixed most of their defensive issues, they only had one terrible mistake on their first game and cost them a goal. We haven’t fixed our problems at all. We looked like a Peruvian or Bolivian team playing Brazil.
Atlanta has pretty good talent, and a top class player. Needs coach.
Do Atlantistas actually like the coach? And that number 10?
I don’t know enough about this coach yet. He seems to understand what our problems are but isn’t showing on the field yet.
Miranchuk is a puzzle to me. I thought he would be more of DeBruyner type player; not the fastest but with great vision for the right pass. I hope he gets there soon or we need to find another position for him
Hi everybody, longtime listener, first time caller. A couple of thoughts on our team’s performances of late:
1. It’s still early but not by much. I’m still optimistic but that too is shrinking.
2. I have no read on our new Coach. Seems intelligent and knowledgeable but I don’t know what his spirit is, his “tone of being.” As a teacher, I know the importance and difficulty of establishing a culture among a “team” of individuals. Building productive, respectful culture takes time. It should clearly communicate expectations and norms. Let people know where they stand/belong and what leads to success and what happens when there is not success. Our coach has said some good things about culture, relationships and accountability, so that’s great sign but time is the only way to ascertain if his culture building skills are up to par.
3. Having said that, the players have to buy in. They have to believe that making decisions for the good of the team will result in their own individual success. Making the extra pass.
4. Culture leads to chemistry. Once everyone believes in the team and that team success equals personal success, chemistry develops and a new organism is born. A sum greater than the whole of its parts.
5. Tactics are not culture. Our coach has spoken about the desired tactics. I have seen the tactics. They are very apparent in the first half of our games. Not always successfully executed but present. Second half … not so much. And I think that is a problem of culture. When you are tired or frustrated, you more readily revert to self interest. That’s what I see happening in the second half of each match so far. Tired minds, lack of focus, lack of belief and then lack of patience.
Player movement decreases or becomes rote. Passes are soft, mistimed, misplaced or not attempted. The team looks like a group of individuals trying to talk to each other from across the field. Group identity is lost
6. Miranchuk is mystifying. What is the root deficiency? Skill, focus, fitness, boldness? Don’t know.
7. Saba is out for Saba. The moment when he essentially stopped ELL from scoring in the 2nd half is indicative of this trend. He came back from the Euros last summer with a lot of intensity. He looked committed, daring but now my gut tells me that plays for his own glory. He wants to be the star so he can get back to Europe. That’s a problem.
8. Almiron is trying too hard. His embrace of the dark arts last game is troubling. He is too talented to need that BS. Crisis of self confidence? team belief? desire to be the catalyst of success? In time I believe he will settle in and find his moments.
9. ELL is great. Hopefully the rest of SLAM can figure it out.
10. Sure wish we kept George Campbell.
hard to watch yet another game wherein the defense struggles to get the ball anywhere beyond mid field line and gives the ball away in dangerous areas in the middle right outside the box- just not well organized in the back in either defending or building out of the back and definitely some miscommunication in the attack as well… overlapping wing late in attack on a few trips forward and almost no midfield presence. Of course, Miami has not just Messi but Busquets who is arguably the best holding midfielder the game has ever seen and I’m still not sure how Miami has FOUR world class players- I still believe the MLS is a ponzi scheme and the officiating is atrocious.
I vented on the other thread… tactically we were outclassed; even with a first year coach, they looked like a well trained and skilled team . They are the team to beat and they don’t make the silly mistakes they did last year; somehow, we still do. I’ll say it again, our midfield is way too slow and Miranchuk is slower than our midfield.
Who cares if they have a first-year coach? That “well trained and skilled team” has been playing together for 15 years or whatever in one of the most competitive leagues in the world. Be realistic.
They still win without Messi, Suárez or Alba. They have a bunch of new players that have integrated well and tactically they totally outplayed us.
I don’t know that I would go that far. Messi pulled some magic on that first goal by skirting around Williams and Guzan. Yes it was still a high quality chance, but I don’t know that many other players would have the composure to do what Messi did, especially considering that at that moment, Miami had just barely survived it being 2-0 against them. The momentum was not with them at all. I think against another player, Guzan and Williams together had a pretty good chance at keeping that out, and momentum doesn’t shift as hard as it does then.
Even winless Montreal tactically outplayed us. I can understand needing time to gel if the only issue is execution in front of goal. But it feels to me like we are completely lacking any tactical identity needed to control a game.
I feel like there is a fine line between discipline to not have reckless energy and being flat, but it feels more like we were again flat for too much of the game.
Most players regardless of position or salary had some shockingly bad giveaways at all areas of the field.
Results aside, Im disappointed this team doesn’t have more of an edge so far.
I’m trying to trust the process, but I’m still not impressed by Deila.
I watched a little bit of NYCFC who I think, with 38 year old Maxi Morales as their #10, is a worse in every way Miami.
I’m not really a fan of the concept of must win games, but if we don’t see more of an edge against NYCFC in our next home, I think it’s time to start asking questions.
Miranchuck is so far a waste of a DP slot. He is showing nothing.
Very much so ! Rui Diaz anyone ? 34 yrs old GL has a good relationship with both him and SSFC
Agreed – since he arrived, he has performed at a low TAM / $600K player. He was supposed to be a great passer / facilitator and a CAM/#10, and he is neither. Almiron has to come into the center to do the things Miranchuck is supposed to be doing – and that means we “lose” a winger. Beyond Miranchuck, our passing is slow and sloppy – and unfortunately, players are reverting to the “Pineda style” of backward passing, passing into corners, etc. Bottom line is that we were pressed by one of the slowest and oldest teams in MLS and their press was very effective.
All I have to say is $13MM.
Alexey! Where’s the spark!? Where’s the fire!?
Welcome to MLS. If you can’t find it, this might not be the place for you.
I’m excited for the magic you can bring. I saw hints of it last season.
This season? Nothing but interceptions and wondering around trying to find your place.
Ref sucked.
Messi runs MLS from the field.
Agreed, physical “violence” (which may be a strong word for throwing empty plastic cups, but is still the word nonetheless) is not the right reaction for it. But OHMYGOD that was by far Fischer’s worst ever reffing performance probably of his entire career.
Despite that, we didn’t perform well anyway and I’m now starting to prepare myself for an overall underwhelming 2025 that maybe ends with certain players *coughmiranchukcough* not even seeing the pitch by the summer window. And if that’s the case, I’ll be the first to admit that I defended him in 2024 when it felt like he just didn’t have the right cast around him – but now, he has really appeared to be the weak link in the SLAM imo. If you’re slow in this league, you better have inch-perfect passing and impeccable decision-making to make up for it… And it feels like 0 for 2 there today.
Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it’s the beer. I’ll rethink my ‘tude in 6 days.
Quick, unfiltered thoughts:
Well deserved loss. Talent, opportunity- everything worth nothing. Just frustrating the fans. Sorry folks – needed to vent – so much for my first reaction.