Brad Guzan did all he possibly could to keep the best attacking unit in MLS at bay, but it just wasn’t enough to stop the Inter Miami tidal wave.
Luis Suarez scored 90 seconds into the match and Jordi Alba delivered a sensational strike midway through the second half as Inter Miami won the first of their best-of-three matchup against Atlanta United at home on Friday night.
Former USMNT goalkeeper Guzan put in a vintage performance between the sticks, denying Lionel Messi and other Herons stars with mind-blowing saves on no fewer than five occasions. Yet it wasn’t quite enough as Inter Miami pummeled the Atlanta United back line across the 90 minutes.
Saba Lobzhanidze scored Atlanta United’s goal against the run of play shortly before halftime to give Tata Martino’s side something to think about, but they had more than enough pressure to make up for the brief slip.
The series now shifts to Atlanta where an Inter Miami win would send them into the Eastern Conference semifinals, or would return home for a decisive Game 3 if they suffer defeat.
The Sporting News is following the Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United final score
| Score | Goal scorers | |
| Inter Miami | 2 | Suarez (2′), Alba (61′) |
| Atlanta United | 1 | Lobzhanidze (39′) |
Kickoff: 8:45 p.m. ET / 5:45 p.m. PT
Location: Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Referee: Allen Chapman
Starting lineups:
Inter Miami (3-5-2, right to left): 1. Callender (GK) — 6. Aviles (Fray, 74′ — Allen, 90+1′), 5. Busquets, 14. D. Martinez — 57. Weigandt, 20. D. Gomez, 55. Redondo (Cremaschi, 68′), 42. Bright, 18. Alba — 10. Messi, 9. Suarez.
Atlanta United (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Guzan (GK) — 11. Lennon (Abram, 21′), 5. Gregersen (Cobb, 34′), 3. D. Williams, 18. Amador — 6. Slisz, 13. McCarty (Rios, 79′) — 9. Lobzhanidze, 59. Miranchuk (Silva, 46′), 35. Fortune — 29. Thiare.
MORE: Find out which games are streaming free on MLS Season pass from Apple TV each week
Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United live updates, highlights from Round One
FULLTIME: Inter Miami 2-1 Atlanta United
A fully deserved three points for the hosts as Inter Miami are halfway towards a place in the Eastern Conference semifinals!
Brad Guzan put in a superstar performance in goal for Atlanta United, doing all he could to keep his side within reach, but it just wasn’t enough as Inter Miami were the better side throughout. Jordi Alba’s goal was worthy of three points, so it all worked out for the Herons in the end!
Unfortunately for Inter Miami, there will be a somewhat somber atmosphere in the dressing room knowing that Ian Fray may have suffered yet another serious knee injury at such a young age, a tough pill to swallow towards the end of an otherwise significant victory.
90+4 min: Chance, Inter Miami! As if this game needed yet another Brad Guzan save on Lionel Messi, he’s got one more as time ticks down!
90+3 min: The game’s first yellow card is shown to Derrick Williams of Atlanta United for a late challenge on Benjamin Cremaschi.
90+1 min: Oh no. Oh this is absolutely terrible. Ian Fray is down on the pitch holding his knee, and has his head in his shirt to hide his tears. The 22-year-old has torn his ACL three times already in his career, and was widely lauded for coming back from such adversity. We don’t know what the injury is, but it certainly feels like Fray knows that he may have another serious injury.
He’s incredibly emotional as he is helped to the sideline and down the tunnel, replaced by Noah Allen. That’s just absolutely heartbreaking.
85th min: Chance, Inter Miami! HOW, BRAD GUZAN?! HOW??? Inter Miami have a two-on-none breakaway from the midway line as Atlanta United sells out for the equalizer. Luis Suarez feeds Lionel Messi horizontally and Guzan comes MILES out of his penalty area to challenge the pass.
Somehow, some way, Guzan manages to get a touch on the ball with his foot to dispossess Messi while flying by. If he hadn’t, Messi has a wide open net to pass the ball into! What a sensational stop, in a position where he couldn’t use his hands! It’s been a legendary performance from the former USMNT goalkeeper tonight.
83rd min: Chance, Inter Miami! Jordi Alba is denied a second goal as his clipped ball over Brad Guzan at the near post is cleared off the line! He deftly gets his foot to the ball before the charging Atlanta United goalkeeper and puts it on frame from an impossible angle, but it’s denied at the doorstep!
79th min: Dax McCarty has emptied the tank and will be replaced by forward Daniel Rios as Atlanta United is going for it with 11 minutes left.
72nd min: Chance, Inter Miami! ARE YOU KIDDING ME BRAD GUZAN?! The Atlanta United goalkeeper has had an incredible game, but just produced the save of the season to deny Lionel Messi from no further than four yards out! An outrageous reflex save at the near post!
After the chance, Tata Martino makes his second change as Ian Fray comes in for Tomas Aviles in defense.
68th min: The first change for Inter Miami sees homegrown star Benjamin Cremaschi replace Federico Redondo in midfield.
66th min: Chance, Inter Miami! Lionel Messi sends one just over the crossbar! He dribbles around no fewer than three blue Atlanta jerseys in the penalty area before ripping one from 10 yards out with the left foot, but it sizzles over the net harmlessly.
61st min: GOAL! INTER MIAMI! WHAT A SENSATIONAL STRIKE BY JORDI ALBA! A TRIDE AND TRUE STUNNER!!!
Inter Miami take the lead on a left-footed howitzer from an incredible distance by the Herons’ superstar full-back!
J😱RDI ALBA
(via @MLS) pic.twitter.com/LCyqqFWnfO
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 26, 2024
56th min: Chance, Inter Miami! A third huge save of the game by Brad Guzan! Lionel Messi cooks at the top-right corner of the penalty area, and he delivers a vertical feed for Diego Gomez that’s helped by a fortunate deflection right into his path. Yet when Gomez latches on, Guzan has already come off his line to smother the chance, and the attempted flick is right off his palms!
52nd min: Chance, Inter Miami! A free-kick very much in the Lionel Messi range is given to Inter Miami, and he puts it JUST wide of the near post, beating the goalkeeper Brad Guzan but beating the woodwork as well.
Then moments later, David Martinez sends a beautiful ball in to the front of goal where Luis Suarez is streaking, but he just misses the tap-in with a left-footed lunge at the delivery.
2nd half kickoff: As we get under way, the speculation that Atlanta United may use the free sub window at halftime was correct, with Alexey Miranchuk coming off and Xande Silva entering the match. It’s a big call by Rob Valentino to withdraw his big-money No. 10.
HALFTIME: Inter Miami 1-1 Atlanta United
What a nightmare for Inter Miami, who completely and utterly dominated nearly the entire first 45 minutes but only find themselves level at one goal each. Luis Suarez just scored two minutes in, but the Herons have hit the post twice and been denied by multiple spectacular Brad Guzan saves. That man Saba Lobzhanidze made Inter Miami pay for their wastefulness, hitting against the Herons for the fourth time this season in three games.
Atlanta United head coach Rob Valentino will have to think hard about potential halftime subs. His side is playing its third game in six days, and he has only one sub window remaining after injuries to Lennon and Gregerson, meaning he may need to anticipate a change now he would have otherwise left til the 60th or 70th minute.
45+1 min: Chance, Atlanta United! Jamal Thiare is somehow played through on goal while the Inter Miami defense is napping, but he puts the shot wide under some heavy last-ditch defending. That was nearly a calamitous moment for the Inter Miami back line!
45th min: Chance, Inter Miami! Marcelo Weigandt has the ball fall to him in space at the top of the penalty area, and he attempts an audacious outside-of-the-boot whip but its sent well over the crossbar.
39th min: GOAL! ATLANTA! WE’RE LEVEL COMPLETELY AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY! Inter Miami have completely dominated this match, but haven’t been able to double the lead, and are punished for it!
It’s that man Saba Lobzhanidze who yet again drives a stake into Inter Miami’s heart, as he’s played through on a gorgeous vertical ball by Pedro Amador and finishes past Drake Callender! What a punch to the gut for the hosts, who will feel like they should be up two or three goals but instead are now back level.
You know what time it is. ⌚
Saba Lobjanidze equalizes for @ATLUTD in the Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs. pic.twitter.com/vh8jwdxfLj
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 26, 2024
32nd min: Oh no. Atlanta United are already down Brooks Lennon to a shoulder injury, and now Stian Gregersen goes down holding onto his right hamstring and will need a replacement. He gets tangled up with Luis Suarez fighting for the ball, and immediately has to come off for a substitute. Inter Miami play the ball out in a sporting manner, and on comes Noah Cobb.
29th min: Chance, Inter Miami! HOW are the hosts only up one goal? Another two chances to go in front go begging, as Lionel Messi strikes the near post head-on from a shot on the right, and then Diego Gomez’s follow-up forces Guzan to make another massive save! The Herons have pummeled Atlanta United across the whole first half-hour!
26th min: Chance, Inter Miami! Lionel Messi forces yet another sensational save by Brad Guzan! While the first saw the Atlanta United goalkeeper range laterally, this one gets Guzan up vertically as he leaps to tip a shot from central over the crossbar.
Then, from the ensuing corner, David Martinez rips a header off the crossbar! Inter Miami are pushing for a second goal to try and put this one away early!
Oh my Brad Guzan 🧤
📺 Free on @AppleTV: https://t.co/81yjNWp5KF pic.twitter.com/qfxFJU3vsH
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 26, 2024
21st min: Atlanta United are readying a replacement for Brooks Lennon, but they have to defend a corner while down a man, and they have to concede a second corner to try and kill time. Finally, center-back Luis Abram comes on as the first substitute of the game, indicating Atlanta United may be shifting to a three-defender formation.
18th min: There’s a real problem for Atlanta United here as Brooks Lennon is in severe pain holding his shoulder after battling with Diego Gomez in his own penalty area. He got tangled with the Inter Miami midfielder while conceding a corner, and appears to have wrenched his shoulder seriously.
He’s in incredible pain, holding his hand over his face while grimacing heavily as the trainers work on his left arm. It’s hard to imagine him staying in this game. Indeed, Lennon walks off the pitch holding his arm in a makeshift sling from his jersey, with help from the medical staff to hold it in place — that is the look of a player who has suffered a serious injury.
13th min: Inter Miami have continued to dominate the this match even after going in front. It’s one-way traffic in the opening stages of this match. Atlanta United have dropped incredibly deep to weather the storm as best they can, and have hardly had a single touch in the Inter Miami half.
They finally get down the other end of the field as Saba Lobzhanidze wins a corner, which is whipped in dangerously, but Jamal Thiare can’t turn and shoot before he’s dispossessed.
7th min: Chance, Inter Miami! Lionel Messi puts an effort on target but Brad Guzan makes an acrobatic diving save! Jordi Alba’s lateral cross finds Messi at the top of the penalty area, and he one-times it on frame but is denied by the former U.S. national team starter.
2nd min: GOAL! INTER MIAMI! Luis Suarez has Inter Miami’s first-ever playoff goal as the Herons explode to life just 90 seconds into the match! Jordi Alba begins the move down the left, and his feed to the middle sees Diego Gomez combine with Suarez to craft the opening strike!
LUIS! SUAREZ!
Less than 90 seconds into the match. Wow.@InterMiamiCF // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/2o7TUzPHBs
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 26, 2024
Kickoff: They’re under way at Chase Stadium! Lionel Messi is officially an MLS Cup playoff participant as he looks to lead Inter Miami to another silverware first — a league championship.
Kickoff of this match was advertised as 8:30, but in classic U.S. soccer fashion, actually gets the ball rolling 15 minutes later. It was 8:45 all along — they love conning soccer fans into tuning in early in this country.
Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more
15 mins to kick: With Lionel Messi getting all the headlines at Inter Miami, one player who’s flown very much under the radar is Luis Suarez, who has had a massively successful first season with the Herons. Can he play a big role in a title run for Inter Miami?
2️⃣0️⃣ goals on the season for Luis Suárez.
More to come in the Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs?
📺 Free on @AppleTV (8:30pm ET): https://t.co/81yjNWp5KF pic.twitter.com/h3dhSfZV0g
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 26, 2024
30 mins to kick: Ted Lasso star Brendan Hunt, who has become a sort of U.S. soccer ambassador in the United States, is on hand tonight in Miami for this match. Hunt compared making the trip to see Lionel Messi to his experience watching Michael Jordan down the stretch of his career in the actor’s hometown of Chicago.
Brendan Hunt in the house. 👋
📺 Free on @AppleTV: https://t.co/81yjNWp5KF // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/cElY07f6G3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 25, 2024
45 mins to kick: It’s notable that Dax McCarty is in the starting lineup for Atlanta United. He has a ton of experience against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, both good and bad. He is retiring at the end of the season, and thus this playoff series could potentially be his final professional matches if Atlanta bow out.
I truly believe that Dax McCarty will leave MLS as one of its most underrated, underappreciated players. Among the league’s all-time most consistently good midfielders, full stop. Happy trails, Dax.
— Pablo Iglesias Maurer (@MLSist) October 19, 2024
1 hour to kickoff: Lineups are in. Lionel Messi starts in a strong Inter Miami XI which features most of the club’s main stars. Yannick Bright in midfield is a big of a surprise, while Julian Gressell, who has started all season long, is on the bench.
There are no surprises for the visitors, who stick with almost the same XI that secured a 2-2 draw against CF Montreal in the wild card round. The only change sees 37-year-old Dax McCarty come into midfield to replace Ronald Hernandez.
1 hour 15 mins to kick: Atlanta United are making sure everyone knows they aren’t afraid of being the underdog against an Inter Miami side which will bring a record number of eyeballs thanks to the presence of Messi.
Which, some might argue, would indicate they are, in fact, afraid.
No reason to be scared.#UniteThe404 pic.twitter.com/uhevn2pbUD
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) October 25, 2024
1 hour 30 mins to kick: While we wait for lineups from this big playoff match, there’s some pretty significant news from elsewhere in the league as the San Jose Earthquakes are in advanced talks with Bruce Arena to make him their next head coach, according to league insider Tom Bogert.
That would be a major hire given Arena’s contentious departure from the New England Revolution last season after allegations of “insensitive and inappropriate remarks.” Arena is first all-time in MLS for wins, MLS Cup titles, Supporters’ Shield wins, and Coach of the Year awards throughout his managerial career, as well as having led the USMNT to some of the team’s most memorable victories.
2 hours to kickoff: One feature of Inter Miami playoff matches throughout the club’s MLS Cup run is a feature camera that will only follow Lionel Messi, giving fans the option to keep an eye on the Argentine at every moment on the field.
The option will be available on a special live stream via the MLS TikTok channel, while the regular broadcast is accessible on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, made free to all for tonight’s match regardless of subscription level.
Watch Messi’s every move in a special TikTok livestream on @MLS and @InterMiamiCF as he leads Miami’s historic title quest.
Sign up using this link to be notified when the stream is live: https://t.co/qVmNUhBnBI pic.twitter.com/NXZDWmi8Y7
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 25, 2024
Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United kickoff time
This MLS Cup playoff match kicks off from Chase Stadium on Friday, October 25 at 8:30 p.m. local time in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Here’s how that time translates across the time zones in North America:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Fri, Oct. 25 | 8:30 p.m. |
| Central Time | Fri, Oct. 25 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Fri, Oct. 25 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Fri, Oct. 25 | 5:30 p.m. |
Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United lineups, team news, starting 11
Inter Miami struggled with fitness issues all season, but they appear as close to full strength as they have been in months. Most notably, Lionel Messi is fully fit and was rested in the final match of the season, still managing a hat-trick off the bench against the New England Revolution.
Matias Rojas has returned to training and is fit enough for a spot on the bench, while David Martinez started the regular season finale in a return from injury.
The only players to miss out are long-term absentees Nicolas Freire and Facundo Farias, while David Ruiz has a hamstring injury suffered late in the season on international duty that will likely affect his availability throughout the playoffs.
Inter Miami starting lineup (3-5-2): Callender (GK) — Aviles, Busquets, D. Martinez — Weigandt, D. Gomez, Redondo, Bright, Alba — Messi, Suarez.
Due to their precarious table position, Atlanta United were forced to go full tilt down the entire stretch run of the regular season, but they seem to have emerged relatively unscathed. The only major fitness concern for Atlanta United is to forward Edwin Mosquera who could miss most or all of the playoffs with a knee injury picked up late in the season.
Inter Miami will want to keep a close eye on Saba Lobzhanidze who terrorized them in their September regular season meeting and finished the year in good formm, scoring five goals and assisting three more in 14 matches since the start of June.
Atlanta United starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Guzan (GK) — Lennon, Gregersen, D. Williams, Amador — Slisz, McCarty — Lobzhanidze, Miranchuk, Fortune — Thiare.
Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United live stream, TV channel
Every single match of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs, from the wild card round all the way through the MLS Cup final, is available in one place: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
As a special promotion to get fans excited for the postseason, every single game in the wild card round and the first set of Round One matches will be available to access for free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. That includes this first meeting of the best-of-three series between Inter Miami and CF Montreal, accessible for all fans to view regardless of subscription status.
If you wish to tag along for the entirety of Inter Miami’s postseason run, Apple TV is running a special offer for new subscribers who can sign up now for just $9.99 to access not just the Herons but every single game of the entire postseason. Meanwhile, those already with an active Apple TV+ subscription can sign up for MLS Season Pass for free for the rest of the playoffs.
