Inter Miami travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night with their postseason place already wrapped up, while Atlanta United are running out of matches to save theirs. Lionel Messi arrives in scoring form, but the hosts have just produced their best result in weeks and know a defeat could end their playoff hopes for good.
Atlanta United host Inter Miami at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, October 17, with kick off set for 7:30pm ET. For supporters in the UK that means a 12:30am BST start on Sunday, October 18.
The match is available to watch worldwide on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, including in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Two weeks have transformed the mood around the visitors. Inter Miami went into the international break without a win in five MLS matches. They return to action on the back of two consecutive victories and two clean sheets, with their place in the postseason playoffs already confirmed.
Lionel Messi’s first outing after his Argentina farewell proved a comfortable one. Miami swept aside DC United 4-0 at Nu Stadium last Saturday, then followed it with a 2-0 win over New York City FC in midweek. Germán Berterame opened the scoring in that one, with Messi setting up Rodrigo De Paul for the second.
Messi has now been involved in at least one goal in every game he has played since the Leagues Cup, and his tally for the MLS season stands at 23. Luis Suárez has added 15 of his own.
Kily González’s team sit second in the Eastern Conference and have been at their most dangerous away from home. Their eight road wins are the most in MLS, and one more would surpass their regular season away total from last year. Miami also lead the league for big chances created (110) and set piece goals (16).
Atlanta’s position could hardly be more different. Gerardo Martino’s side are 14th in the East, six points below the playoff line with five games remaining, and five teams stand between them and a place in the postseason. Missing out would mean a second successive year without playoff football.
There was at least some relief in midweek, a 3-0 win at CF Montréal delivered by goals from Miguel Almirón, Giuliano Galoppo and Breel Embolo. The trouble is concentrated at home, where Atlanta have collected a single point from their last four outings at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and they own the fifth lowest expected goals total in MLS this season.
Head to head
The record between the clubs offers encouragement to both camps. Atlanta have taken points from six of their last seven home meetings with Miami in all competitions, yet they have not beaten them at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the regular season since a 5-2 victory in 2023. Miami won this fixture 2-1 last year and are unbeaten in their last three MLS meetings with Atlanta.
Team news
Will Reilly is doubtful for Atlanta because of an ankle injury, while defender Tomás Jacob is available again after serving a suspension. Lucas Hoyos, who kept a clean sheet in Montréal, continues in goal.
Embolo is set to lead the line once more after scoring in midweek, with Almirón and Ajani Fortune providing the creativity behind him.
Miami have fitness questions of their own. Mateo Silvetti is managing a shoulder problem, Yannick Bright has a sore foot, and Tadeo Allende is questionable because of a knee injury.
Messi, Suárez and Berterame are all expected to start in attack, with De Paul pulling the strings in midfield.
Predicted teams
Atlanta United: Hoyos; Edwards, DÃaz, Mihaj, Báez; Amaro; Fortune, Muyumba, Almirón, Picault; Embolo
Inter Miami: St Clair; Luján, Casemiro, Micael, Fray; De Paul, Segovia, Galarza; Messi, Suárez, Berterame
With their postseason place already secure, Miami may take their foot off the gas slightly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta need wins, and the verdict here is that they may just get one.
