Atlanta United’s (8-13-8) failed to win either of its two matches at home in this short homestand. It fell from 10th place to 11th in the East but is one point away from the ninth and final playoff spot. Atlanta United will play at the Red Bulls on Saturday.
Interim manager Rob Valentino’s lineup was composed of striker Daniel Rios, midfielders Miranchuk, Lobjanidze, Dax McCarty, Tristan Muyumba and Bartosz Slisz, fullbacks Brooks Lennon and Pedro Amador, centerbacks Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams, and goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Inter Miami was without manager Gerardo Martino, who was suspended, and the lineup was missing numerous other starters. It also didn’t include Messi, the reason the stadium was open to full capacity, but who did make the bench.
The energy from Atlanta United’s players that was missing in its recent loss to Nashville was there against Miami, but it didn’t produce anything to fuel the attack.
Miami took a 1-0 lead on a goal by David Ruiz in the 29th minute. Atlanta United was unlucky. A pass was deflected by McCarty, with the ball going right to Ruiz, who had made a short run to the top of the 18-yard box into space between Amador, who failed to go with him, and Gregersen. Ruiz received the deflection, squared up to Guzan and slotted a shot into the lower right corner. It came on Miami’s second shot in the match. Atlanta United had just one, not on goal, to that point.
Adding to Atlanta United’s challenges, it entered the match 1-10-4 when the opponent scored first this season.
Atlanta United finished the half without a shot on goal. Its issues on offense were best exemplified by a sequence around the 40th minute. Atlanta United was in a counterattack. Slisz played a pass that was intended for Lobjanidze, who was sprinting down the left wing. However, Rios, who was on the same line as the pass, stopped the ball. Had he let it run through, Lobjanidze would have been in on goal with no one but Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender in front of him.
Atlanta United finished the half without a shot on goal, one key pass and an expected goals total of 0.1. He put just one shot on goal in the first half of the loss to Nashville.
Messi got off the bench to go warm up in the 48th minute, giving the ticket-buyers something positive to cheer.
Atlanta United’s first shot on goal resulted in its first goal, coming from a header by Lobjanidze in the 56th minute. It was assisted by Amador, his first this season.
Of course, Atlanta United quickly surrendered a goal and again could consider itself unlucky in the 59th minute because Leo Campana’s free kick deflected off McCarty and to the right past Guzan, who had dove to his left, to give Miami a 2-1 lead. McCarty’s foul resulted in the free kick.
Messi subbed on in the 61st minute, replacing Gressel. It was his second appearance in the city. The first came earlier this year for Argentina in the Copa America. Fortune and Mosquera subbed on in place of McCarty and Muyumba.
After Miranchuk’s goal, Lobjanidze hit the bar with a shot in regulation, saw a header go over the crossbar and just missed the upper right corner with a right-footed shot in stopping time. Miranchuk also had a shot go just wide to the right.
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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule
Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0
March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1
March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0
March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0
March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0
April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1
April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2
April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1
April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1
May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1
May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in US Open Cup
May 11 DC United 3, Atlanta United 2
May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0
May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1
May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in US Open Cup
May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0
May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1
June 2 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2
June 15 Atlanta United 2, Houston 2
June 19 Atlanta United 1, DC United 0
June 22 Atlanta United 1, St. Louis 1
June 29 Atlanta United 2, Toronto 1
July 3 New England 2, Atlanta United 1
July 6 Real Salt Lake 5, Atlanta United 2
July 9 vs. Indy Eleven 2, Atlanta United 1
July 13 Montreal 1, Atlanta United 0
July 17 Atlanta United 2, NYCFC 2
July 20 Atlanta United 2, Columbus 1
July 26 DC United 3 (6), Atlanta United 3 (5) in Leagues Cup
Aug. 4 Santos Laguna 0 (5), Atlanta United 0 (3) in Leagues Cup
Aug. 24 LA Galaxy 2, Atlanta United 0
Aug. 31 Atlanta United 1, Charlotte 0
Sep 14 Nashville 2, Atlanta United 0
Sep 18 Atlanta United 2, Miami 2
Sept. 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 pm
Oct. 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 pm
Oct. 19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.
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