Inter Miami and Lionel Messi Shocked in Playoff Exit to Atlanta United
By Lizzy Becherano | Nov 10, 2024
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Inter Miami’s historic 2024 MLS playoff run came to a stunning end on Saturday night as they were eliminated in the first round by Atlanta United, falling 3-2 in the decisive Game 3 of their Eastern Conference series at Chase Stadium.
Lionel Messi appeared to have rescued Miami after heading in a second-half equalizer, but Bartosz Slisz scored the game-winner and secured Atlanta's spot in the next round with a header in the 76th minute. The dramatic goal came while Miami defender Tomás Avilés was on the ground in his own penalty area, with his teammates urging the referee to stop play for treatment.
Messi had two chances to level the score with free kicks in the dying minutes, but both attempts were blocked by Atlanta's defensive wall as Miami, the top seed in the playoffs, fell to the biggest upset in MLS playoff history.
Miami entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed after setting an MLS record for most points in a season and winning the Supporters' Shield. However, they were stunned by an Atlanta side that finished ninth in the Eastern Conference, 34 points behind Miami, and barely made the playoffs by securing a wild-card spot on the final day of the regular season.
"We’re used to achieving the goals we set for ourselves, but we couldn’t reach the most important one," Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said after the match.
Miami had won the first game 2-1 at home before losing 2-1 in Atlanta in Game 2, setting the stage for Saturday's elimination. Despite an early lead from MatÃas Rojas in the 17th minute, Atlanta quickly responded. Jamal Thiare equalized just two minutes later, and then put Atlanta ahead 2-1 moments after his first goal.
Lionel Messi was unable to stop Inter Miami from being eliminated in the first round by Atlanta United. (Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Inter Miami, Lionel Messi suffer shock playoff exit to Atlanta United
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Inter Miami's 2024 Major League Soccer playoff journey came to an abrupt end with a stunning 3-2 defeat against Atlanta United in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference series on Saturday night at Chase Stadium.
Lionel Messi seemed to have given Miami hope with a second-half headed equalizer, but Atlanta's Bartosz Slisz sealed the win with a decisive 76th-minute header. The goal came while Miami defender Tomás Avilés was down injured in his penalty area, with his teammates protesting for the referee to halt play for treatment.
Messi had two opportunities to equalize through free kicks, but both attempts were thwarted by Atlanta's defensive wall. The loss marked one of the biggest upsets in MLS playoff history, especially given Miami's dominant regular season.
Despite entering the postseason as the No. 1 seed after setting an MLS record for most points in a season and winning their first-ever Supporters' Shield, Miami fell to an Atlanta side that barely made the playoffs, finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta's late-season surge secured them a wild-card spot, a stark contrast to Miami's league-leading campaign.
"In this final stretch of the year, we were used to meeting our objectives, but we couldn't achieve the most crucial one," Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said post-match.
The series had been tightly contested. Miami took the first game 2-1 at home, only to lose Game 2 by the same score at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, forcing the decisive Game 3.
Saturday's clash saw Miami initially take the lead through MatÃas Rojas in the 17th minute, but Atlanta quickly responded. Jamal Thiare struck twice in quick succession, turning the game in Atlanta's favor before the 20-minute mark. Miami's Diego Gómez thought he had equalized, but his goal was disallowed for offside. Controversy further marred the match when Miami's appeals for a penalty, claiming a handball in the box, were ignored by the referee.
Martino expressed frustration with the officiating, particularly the decision not to pause play before Atlanta’s winning goal. "There was a clear, very clear penalty, but the referee didn't even check it," he remarked.
Miami, powered by Messi and Luis Suárez, who both scored 20 goals this season, failed to capitalize on their star-studded lineup. Veteran Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 40, delivered a standout performance, keeping Messi and Miami at bay to secure Atlanta's place in the conference semifinals against Orlando City.
This defeat extends Miami's playoff woes, as the club, co-owned by David Beckham, has never progressed beyond the first round since its MLS debut in 2020. After an underwhelming 2023 season, expectations were high for 2024, especially with a full season of Messi, Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, alongside former Barcelona coach Martino.
"If you compare where we were last year to now, the club has made significant progress," Martino reflected. "But given our playoff expectations, we fell short."
Messi, the league’s highest-paid player this season at $20.4 million, will return for one more season under his current contract, while Miami’s focus shifts to the 2025 season, including preparations for the expanded 32-team Club World Cup.
Suárez, whose contract is set to expire, hinted at potential negotiations for an extension. Martino remained optimistic about the club’s future, emphasizing the strides made this season and the need to continue building for success.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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