Match Preview: Atlanta United (A)

Saturday evening will see the second of best-of-three series between Atlanta United and Inter Miami, and if the Herons come out on top then they will be the ones to advance to the next round, as it would be 2-0 in the series so therefore no need to play the third game. The first game in Fort Lauderdale finished 2-1 to the hosts, despite a brilliant performance from goalkeeper Brqd Guzan, with goals coming from Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba.

Atlanta United are set to make three changes to the side that lost 2-1 down south last Friday, with injuries to Stian Gregersen and Brooks Lennon, who were both replaced in the first half of last weeks game, Roland Hernández and Luis Abram are set to start. The other expected change for Atlanta is former West Ham youngster Xande Silva coming in to play on that left hand side, with Dax McCarty giving way and dropping Ajani Fortune back into his more favoured defensive role..

The last time the teams faced each other at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium at was back in September, where the teams played out a desmond, which was one of the tougher grounds that Inter Miami have gone to, as it was one of only six games on the road that they failed to win. Albeit the likes of Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi all started on the bench and came on after the hour mark.

One player Inter Miami will be very aware of by now, and one they know they’ll have to be at their best to stop him is Georgian 29-year-old wide man Saba Lobjanidze, who has scored 4 goals in the last 3 games against the Herons, including netting the equaliser in last weeks match-up, before of course Jordi Alba cancelled that out to give the Herons a 1-0 lead in the series. The Georgian, who signed for the side from the state of the same name in August 2023, from Turkish club Hatayspor, isn’t exactly the most prolific in front of goal. He only had 10 to his name for the 2024 MLS regular season, but he sure knows how to score against the Herons.

Overall verdict

I think that Atlanta will put up a very strong fight to try and take the series to the final game, with the backing of their home fans they’ll create a hostile atmosphere. But i think the quality of some of Inter Miami’s biggest stars such as Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will prevail and the Herons will advance with another 1-2 win and into the next round in the play offs, making the series score 2-0. It will be difficult for 40-year-old goalkeeper Brad Guzan to have a game as good as he did last week if his defence isn’t switched on at all times. A close tie, but Inter Miami to come out on top in my opinion.