Atlanta United hosts Inter Miami at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday in an eagerly awaited MLS clash, their first since meeting in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs. The Five Stripes are looking to get back on track after a brief scoring slump and the Herons roll into town red hot under new head coach Javier Mascherano.
Match Preview
Atlanta United has not been firing on all cylinders in front of added time so far following its impressive 3-2 win over CF Montreal to start its MLS season. Ronny Deila’s team has not scored in their last two games played and this is their longest such run since the 2021 season. Despite attending their own damage on the attacking end, they've remained defensively sound, collecting a 0-0 draw against the New York Red Bulls last weekend.
The Five Stripes will be looking to find goal-scoring form again while continuing a very strong home record. The match falls on the last weekend of March, a month in which Atlanta has never lost a March league match at home since entering MLS in 2017, and in which they haven’t lost any of their last six home matches against Inter Miami. They will also go for consecutive shutouts at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, something they haven’t done since 2023.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami keep rolling under Mascherano, and extended their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions. They narrowly defeated Charlotte FC, 1-0, last weekend, with Tadeo Allende providing the winning goal. It is the first time in franchise history that Miami could win its first two away matches of an MLS season.
The Herons have been especially good away from home, with only two road losses since 2024 season kickoff. Armed with an elite attacking unit, Miami is on a 23-game streak scoring in the MLS, evidence of its attacking prowess. But they have beaten Atlanta just once in Georgia, a 2-1 win in 2020, so Sunday’s matchup is a major test.
Team News
Atlanta United is still without Ronald Hernandez and Jamal Thiare, who are both dealing with quadriceps injuries. Brooks Lennon is a doubt with a shoulder problem and their record off-season signing, Emmanuel Latte Lath, is still under concussion protocol after taking a knock in their most recent game. Veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan, a hero in Atlanta’s playoff win over Miami last season, will seek his second clean sheet of the season.
Among Inter Miami’s injured players are Marcelo Weigandt, Robert Taylor and Fafa Picault, all of whom have hamstring issues, along with Maximiliano Falcon, who has a quad strain.
Oscar Ustari, first-choice goalkeeper, is out through suspension after being shown a red card last weekend, so Rocco Rios Novo will presumably be between the posts.
Lionel Messi, who was benched for Miami’s last two M.L.S. games, appeared as a substitute in its CONCACAF Champions Cup win against Cavalier on Thursday and might rejoin the starting lineup with Luis Suárez.
Predicted Lineups
Atlanta United:
Guzan; Edwards, Gregersen, Williams, Amador; Slisz, Muyumba; Almiron, Miranchuk, Silva; Lobzhanidze
Inter Miami:
Rios Novo; Lujan, Aviles, Allen, Alba; Bright, Busquets, Redondo; Allende, Suarez, Messi
Bet on It: Inter Miami to Score
Inter are still smarting from their playoff elimination to Atlanta last year and should be eager to make a statement here. With their firepower up top, do expect the Herons to strike for at least one goal on Sunday.
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