Atlanta United can create one of the biggest upsets in MLS Cup playoff history with a victory over Inter Miami on Saturday in game three of that first-round series at Chase Stadium.
In the second match of that series on Saturday, the Five Stripes came from behind to defeat Miami 2-1, setting up this deciding game.
Match preview
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Leading by a goal at the interval of game two last week, the Herons appeared to be home and dry but could not close the deal in Atlanta.
Their game two defeat ended a 12-match unbeaten run for them in league play, as they have yet to win a playoff affair outside of Fort Lauderdale.
It was also the first time in 2024 that this team went on to lose a league game after scoring the opening goal, setting up this must-win match.
Tata Martino's men are riding a nine-match domestic unbeaten run at Chase Stadium heading into this deciding game, winning seven of those encounters.
Miami have never advanced beyond the opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs, losing their previous knockout fixture at the Leagues Cup in August versus the Columbus Crew (3-2).
Not since October 2023 have the Herons suffered consecutive defeats versus MLS opposition, losing 1-0 to FC Cincinnati after the Chicago Fire beat them 4-1.
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Atlanta dug deep and found a way to stay alive last Saturday, winning a second successive playoff match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium thanks to a goal in stoppage time.
It was the first career post-season triumph for interim manager Rob Valentino, who has won four of his last five league fixtures at the helm.
On Saturday, he has a chance to become the first Atlanta boss since Frank de Boer in 2019 to guide this team beyond the opening round of the playoffs.
This side have not won a post-season affair outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium since Tata Martino was the coach in 2018, defeating New York City FC 1-0 at Yankee Stadium that year before eventually winning the title.
The Five Stripes are undefeated in their previous eight MLS affairs when netting multiple times since losing to Real Salt Lake 5-1 in early July.
They have not won consecutive playoff contests in the same season since 2019, when they followed up a 1-0 victory over the New England Revolution with a 2-0 triumph against the Philadelphia Union.
Team News
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Inter Miami will be without Ian Fray for this match as he is still recovering from a meniscus injury, Sergio Busquets missed the previous encounter with a bout of pneumonia and suffered a setback in training this week, leaving his status in doubt for this match, while Facundo Farias and Nicolas Freire are out due to ACL issues.
Leo Afonso is dealing with a sore groin, while David Ruiz and Oscar Ustari are questionable for the Herons because of hamstring strains.
The only Inter Miami goal scored in game two last week came courtesy of David Martinez, his first for this team in the MLS Cup playoffs.
Last weekend, the Five Stripes kept Stian Rode Gregersen on the bench with a mild hamstring strain, while Brooks Lennon was sidelined due to a dislocated shoulder.
Edwin Mosquera did not feature after hurting his knee, and reserve goalkeeper Quentin Westberg was unavailable because of a head injury.
Derrick Williams netted the equaliser for Atlanta in game two, with the winner coming courtesy of substitute Xande Silva, who came on for Ajani Fortune one minute before the 90.
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; Aviles, Allen, Martinez; Weigandt, Rojas, Redondo, Alba; Messi, Suarez, Gomez
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Hernandez, Williams, Abram; Lobzhanidze, Slisz, McCarty, Muyumba, Silva; Miranchuk, Thiare
We say: Inter Miami 3-0 Atlanta United
Lionel Messi always conjures up something special when needed, and given his ability to thrive in big games, we believe he will carry the Herons into the next round of the playoffs.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
