Atlanta United seeks to boost their playoff hopes as they host Supporters’ Shield frontrunners Inter Miami on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a critical Major League Soccer (MLS) matchup.
The Five Stripes currently sit two points below the Eastern Conference playoff line with a game in hand, while Inter Miami holds a commanding seven-point lead in the Supporters’ Shield race.
Recent Form:
Atlanta enters the match on a downturn, having lost 2-0 to Nashville SC in their previous outing. Rob Valentino’s squad has struggled offensively, failing to score in three of their last four matches across all competitions.
In contrast, Inter Miami continues their impressive run, most recently overcoming an early deficit to defeat the Philadelphia Union 3-1. Under Tata Martino’s guidance, the Herons have shown remarkable resilience, coming from behind to earn results in 15 MLS matches this season when conceding first.
Key Statistics:
– Atlanta United has a perfect record against Florida-based teams in MLS this season, including a 3-1 victory over Miami in May.
– Inter Miami leads the league with 65 goals scored, despite taking only one penalty this season.
– The Herons have won five of their last six away matches in MLS.
Team News:
Atlanta United will be without reserve goalkeeper Quentin Westberg due to a head injury. Ajani Fortune and Tristan Muyumba have recently returned from knocks and may feature.
Inter Miami faces several absences, including Matias Rojas (ankle), CJ dos Santos (hand), Leo Afonso (groin), and Lawson Sunderland (hamstring). Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles are suspended for this match.
The spotlight will be on Lionel Messi, who made an impactful return from an ankle injury in Miami’s last match, scoring twice. Luis Suarez, with 17 goals this season, remains a key threat for the visitors.
Possible Lineups:
Atlanta United (4-2-3-1): Guzan; Lennon, Rode Gregersen, Abram, Amador; Slisz, McCarty; Lobzhanidze, Miranchuk, Mosquera; Rios
Inter Miami (4-3-3): Callender; Weigandt, Kryvtsov, Fray, Alba; Gressel, Ruiz, Redondo; Messi, Suarez, Taylor
Match Implications:
A win for Atlanta could propel them above the playoff line, while Miami aims to extend their lead in the Supporters’ Shield race. The return of Messi adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already crucial match.
The game kicks off at 7:30 PM ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with both teams looking to solidify their positions as the regular season enters its final stretch.
