Three Up, Three Down: It’s hard to find bright spots in Inter Miami’s 5-2 loss at Atlanta

The undefeated streak is done and the captain is rested. Now, maybe Inter Miami can focus on finishing this season strong. Each match, site co-expert Matt Clark and I pick three Herons who most impacted the game, and the three who didn’t. Here’s who showed up, and who didn’t, against Atlanta United.

Three Up

Leonardo Campana, A

Inter Miami gave the in-form Ecuadorian a contract extension earlier in the week; on Saturday, he repaid the love with two goals, one a masterful display of poise, patience, touch, guile and skill, the other a blast from the penalty spot. Campana is well suited to Tata Martino’s attacking style; he’s tall and strong, good in the box and good in the air, but mobile enough to press on defense and run with the counter. Plus, he has an undeniable flair. He’s scored seven goals in six matches and is playing with confidence. I’m anxious to see him and Messi teaming up down the stretch.

I mean, this was a solid way to respond to the team giving you a contract extension, right? In terms of looking for attacking players to break through with Lionel Messi, Campana has certainly made the best case... Robert Taylor would be second, but even his production has fallen off a bit lately. Inter Miami will likely have some personnel decisions to make at the end of the season, but Campana's play of late will make those decisions either really easy, or really hard.