Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are gearing up for a pivotal showdown as they welcome Atlanta United for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference playoff series on Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With the stakes higher than ever, Miami aims to keep their hopes for a domestic double alive.
In an exhilarating Game 2 last Saturday, Atlanta pulled off a stunning 2-1 win over Miami, with Xande Silva hammering home the decisive goal in second-half stoppage time. Previously, Miami edged out Atlanta with the same score in Game 1 on October 25.
Despite his prolific regular season, netting an impressive 20 goals and providing 16 assists in just 19 appearances, Messi has yet to find the back of the net in this playoff series. The pressure mounts as the top-seeded Herons face the possibility of elimination, just three matches away from a shot at the MLS Cup, having already clinched the Supporters’ Shield with a historic 74 points.
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Inter Miami Set for Showdown Against Atlanta United: Live Stream, Lineups, and Playoff Predictions
“The beautiful thing about soccer is that it doesn’t matter what happened in the past; you have to win in the present,” said midfielder Federico Redondo in a statement to the Miami Herald this week. “Everything we did in the past is for naught if we don’t win this week. I hope Saturday we play like we did in the first game and can secure a win to advance.”
On a positive note for Miami, midfielder Sergio Busquets is expected to return to the starting eleven after missing Game 2 due to illness, bolstering the squad for this crucial encounter.
Conversely, ninth-seeded Atlanta’s playoff journey has been remarkable, especially after parting ways with manager Gonzalo Pineda in early June. The team has also had to adjust to the absence of key players Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis. Under interim manager Rob Valentino, Atlanta has turned to a collective attacking effort, with five different players contributing to their five playoff goals thus far.
With a win, Atlanta not only aims to extend their season but also honor the career of veteran midfielder Dax McCarty, who has announced his impending retirement at the season’s conclusion. “There’s a unique combination of joy when you win and a bit of uncertainty,” McCarty reflected. “I feel like I’m playing with house money a little bit. So I’m just rolling with it and trying to contribute to the team’s success as I always have.”
The victors of Saturday’s clash will advance to face either Orlando City or Charlotte FC in the East semifinal, promising an electrifying finish to this playoff series.
