Inter Miami 2, Atlanta United 1: Suárez and Alba help secure victory in Messi’s first MLS Cup playoff game

Although InterMiami obtaining the first victory of the best-of-three series in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, atlanta united He didn’t turn around. In fact, momentarily on Friday, the team made the Supporters’ Shield winners look human, including Lionel Messi.

The Miami captain’s first MLS playoff game was a tense affair in which Inter Miami won 2-1 over the visitors. Miami will take a 1-0 lead against Atlanta on November 2. Despite the goalkeeper Brad Guzanbest efforts, Luis Suarez and jordi alba secured the victory for the home team with one goal each. atlanta end Saba Lobjanidzewho has scored four goals against Miami this year, briefly tied it in the 39th minute before Alba’s great goal in the second half.

Former Atlanta coach Tata Martino, now with Miami, will be welcomed back in Atlanta as he looks to eliminate the club he led to MLS Cup glory in 2018.

Paul Tenorio and Felipe Cárdenas were present in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to analyze the key moments of Friday’s playoff game.

Early notice and winner in the second half

For long stretches Friday night it felt like Atlanta United goalkeeper Guzan was unbeatable.

Suárez had passed Guzan just two minutes into the match to give Inter Miami an early lead. But after that goal, as much as Miami challenged Guzan, the goalkeeper had an answer. Then, on a penalty corner, as the game approached the hour mark, Messi got the ball near the corner of the area. Two Atlanta United defenders went to close it down and Messi made a quick pass to Alba.

From well outside the area, Alba looked up, took a touch and fired a shot past Guzan at the near post. It was a surprising finish: a special goal on a night when it seemed like something special was going to be needed to open the game.

JORDI ALBA FOR LEADERSHIP @InterMiamiCF //Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/1TexkMpTM3

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 26, 2024

The goals were also a reminder of what has made Inter Miami so dangerous this season and what will make them a tough exit in these playoffs. Two of the team’s most important stars, Suárez and Alba, delivered in the most important moments. Miami’s star quartet: Messi, Alba, Suárez and Sergio Busquets – combined for 45 goals and 46 assists this season. They contributed two goals and two assists on Friday.

Brad Guzan made several key saves for Atlanta. (Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images)

Guzan denies Messi on multiple occasions

Anyone would bet a lot of money on Messi scoring with a point-blank shot from inside the opponent’s six-yard box. Good? On Friday night, Guzan, Atlanta United’s 40-year-old goalkeeper, denied Messi from close range, which would have put Miami up 3-1. After Guzan’s improbable reflex save, Messi looked at the American goalkeeper in disbelief. How did that not come in? Messi then angrily kicked the ball towards the corner flag.

Guzan, the former US international goalkeeper, has been Atlanta United’s best player in 2024. He was crucial in keeping the match close despite being under constant pressure. Atlanta lost two starting defenders, Brooks Lennon and Stian Rode Gregersen, in the first half due to injuries. What could have gone wrong went wrong for the visiting team.

“I liked what we did tonight. We had control. If it wasn’t for Brad’s performance, we would have scored more goals,” said Martino, who previously coached Guzan in Atlanta.

Oh my Brad Guzan

Free in @AppleTV: pic.twitter.com/qfxFJU3vsH

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 26, 2024

But it doesn’t matter what the final result is. MLS’ Best of three series. There is no total goal count that helps a team advance. Losing a close game against the best team in the league will give Atlanta enough confidence to win in Game 2.

For Guzan, who has one option year left on his contract, age is just a number.

A busy week reaches Atlanta

As the ninth-place finishers in the Eastern Conference, Atlanta had to get through the play-in game to reach Friday night’s opener. That meant a change of course on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Fridays in Orlando, Montreal and Fort Lauderdale.

In some ways, a 2-1 loss probably felt a bit like a victory.

Atlanta United made two injury substitutions in the 35th minute. They made two more changes at halftime. Miami, for its part, had almost the entire week off and did not make any changes until the 68th minute, with Messi, Busquets, Alba and Suárez playing the full 90 minutes.

Home field advantage and fresher legs were on display for long stretches Friday night, but Miami’s inability to find a second goal in the first half hour allowed Atlanta to hang around. In the end, Miami’s control of the game wore down Atlanta, and Alba’s shot provided the margin. The toll the week took on Atlanta was clear. After making one last punt in the final seconds of the game, even Guzan needed a second on the ground to catch his breath and recover.

Atlanta will now have a much-needed bye week to recover before the home game in what is a must-win game to keep their season alive.

What did Miami head coach Tata Martino say?

Talking about playing Atlanta: “It was important for us to beat Atlanta for the first time this season. It’s noteworthy that we won when we did. They are a complicated team. Well trained. Rob (Valentino) has done a great job. Atlanta didn’t have to come out and try to win in the second half. They could have played on penalties. The revenge game in Atlanta will be complicated. “They take advantage of the space on the field.”

What’s next in the series?

Saturday, November 2: Game 2 in Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 7 p.m. ET

Saturday, November 9: Game 3, if necessary in Miami (Chase Stadium), 8 p.m. ET

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(Top photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images)