Inter Miami vs Atlanta United live updates (2024)

Read our story below to find out how Atlanta United handed Inter Miami their first loss in over two months, denting Lionel Messi and Miami's hopes of reaching the playoffs.

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Both of these teams continue their playoff push with another league match Wednesday night.

Inter Miami host Toronto FC while Atlanta United travel to the nation's capital to take on DC United.

Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino says that Atlanta's stadium turf had absolutely nothing to do with Lionel Messi’s absence from this match.

Jordi Alba and Messi have “muscular fatigue” per Martino. It was wise to rest them both, he added.

Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda says he felt that his side would win with or without Lionel Messi on the pitch today.

“The ideas were there. I was confident.”

Atlanta United's social media team have taken a shot at the so-called "pizza" that Lionel Messi shared on Instagram last night, reconfiguring the toppings to form an L.

As a native of Chicago, I was personally offended by what I saw in that pizza box.

With two MLS matches in the books so far today, let's take a look at the updated standings in the East:

1. Cincinnati: 57 points, 27 games played
2. New England: 48 pts, 27 gp
3. Orlando City: 47 pts, 27 gp
4. Philadelphia: 46 pts, 26 gp
5. Columbus: 45 pts, 27 gp
6. Atlanta United: 45 pts, 29 gp
7. Nashville: 40 pts, 27 gp
8. Montreal: 35 pts, 27 gp
9. D.C. United: 34 pts, 28 gp
10. Chicago: 32 pts, 27 gp
11. Charlotte: 31 pts, 26 gp
12. New York City: 31 pts, 29 gp
13. New York Red Bulls: 30 pts, 28 gp
14. Inter Miami: 28 pts, 27 gp
15. Toronto: 22 pts, 27 gp

The top nine teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs. The regular season consist of 34 matches for each team.

Thanks to today's win, Atlanta close in on a spot in the top four, which would mean home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

With just sevens matches remaining now, Miami still have plenty of ground to make up.

Brooks Lennon spoke to Apple TV after scoring Atlanta's third goal today:

"From the first minute of the game we showed hunger, here at the Mercedes-Benz (Stadium) in front of a massive crowd, credit to the 17s (supporters) for showing out. We just played our style. We came back to just loving the game of football, that's what (head coach) Gonzalo (Pineda) told us in the locker room before the game, to just go out there and have fun and I think we did that tonight.

"I enjoy playing that inverted winger role, going inside in the pocket. You see the inverted fullback is a common thing in football nowadays so loving the position. I'm having success in it so I just gotta keep my head down and keep working hard and hopefully better things to come.

"It got a little chippy because we aren't happy with the results that we've had the past two times we've played them. They knocked us out of Leagues Cup. So we had a bit of hunger tonight. We wanted to come back and prove to our fans and the league that we're no pushover so it was great to get the three points and climb up the table."

Giorgos Giakoumakis spoke to Apple TV after scoring his 14th goal of the season, tying him for the league lead: "As a team we always try to score as much as possible. We had to find the first goal in the game, open up the game a bit, find our confidence.

"In the second half we said we had to score again and secure the game, and that's what happened. We are happy."

On how he's managing to score: "It's because of my team. You can see my goal today, it's an easy goal. Saba Lobzhanidze created an easy goal for me.

"I'm really happy that I play for this club."

Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda was asked by Apple TV what helped his team win this match "Mentality. We know this team can play very good.

"The signings have been very impactful. Thanks to the front office and scouts, they've been doing a great job on that.

"But the heart, the passion, the mentality is what made us win tonight.

"I hope the fans are very happy tonight."

Inter Miami's unbeaten run ends at 12 matches, a streak that began with the debuts of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.

Miami have won only one of their last 13 games (D3 L9) in which Messi was not in the side.

90+5' Atlanta United 5-2 Inter Miami

This is the first time that Inter Miami have conceded five goals in a competitive match since losing 5-1 away to Austin FC in March 2022.

90+1' Atlanta United 5-2 Inter Miami

We're into seven minutes of added time here.

89' Atlanta United 5-2 Inter Miami

Martinez chases after a long ball forward but Robinson shows great strength to hold him off and prevent him from scoring against his former side.

Atlanta gain possession and counterattack swiftly, culminating with Wolff curling a shot past Callender and into the back of the net to seal the win!

Game over!

86' Atlanta United 4-2 Inter Miami

The stadium announcer bellowed Martinez's name with the same enthusiasm that he did when the forward played for Atlanta. Nice touch.

Stefanelli is booked for a bad foul.

83' Atlanta United 4-2 Inter Miami

Martinez and Kryvtsov replace Campana and Aviles. Martinez gets a warm reception from the fans of his former club.

Miami are now out of subs.

Atlanta bring on Fortune for Rossetto. They've made only four subs but they're now out of sub opportunities.

81' Atlanta United 4-2 Inter Miami

Giakoumakis comes off to a warm ovation, along with Silva. They're replaced by Berry and Wolff.

Atlanta have two subs remaining with one opportunity to do so.

1. Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC): 14 goals (eight assists)
2. Giorgos Giakoumakis (Atlanta United): 14 goals (two assists)

Assists serve as the first tiebreaker.