Atlanta United 2-2 Inter Miami: summary, score, goals, highlights MLS

Atlanta battle to a brave point against Inter Miami.

For much of 2024, Atlanta United have looked directionless. 

They have spent most of the year outside of the playoff places, fired head coach Gonzalo Pineda and let go of their two stand-out DPs in the summer. Nevertheless, interim head coach Rob Valentino's side put in a spirited performance against Inter Miami to earn a well-deserved point at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

Can this be a catalyst for a late-season run from the Five Stripes?

Two more chances for Atlanta United in a spirited late showing. Chances for Miranchuk and Lobjanidze bounce just wide of the post. 

Incredible work from Rob Valentino's team in the final stages. 

Dazzling footwork from Messi to skip through the challenges in the Atlanta box. He can't make space for a shot and the ball falls to Redondo, who curls the ball harmlessly over the crossbar. 

Good opening for Atlanta as Brook Lennon finds space on the right and curls in a cross towards Saba Lobjanidze. He stretches to reach the ball but sends his header over the crossbar. 

We're going to have six minutes of added time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

It's still anyone's game!

Outrageous backheel from Lionel Messi on the edge of the Atlanta box makes some space for Redondo but the young midfielder overhits his pass. 

Frustration there for Miami. 

It's completely end-to-end now. Miami charge up-field and find Messi and Suarez running in behind. The Uruguayan closes in on goal but he's stopped by some brilliant recovery defending. 

With five minutes to go it's anyone's game. Will Atlanta frustrate Miami for a second time this season? Or is there a moment of Miami magic still to come?

Lennon floats the cross in and onto the head of Derrick Williams. The Atlanta defender meets the ball well but his header is comfortably saved by Callender. 

Saba Lobjanidze makes good progress down the right flank before being fouled by Yannick Bright on the edge of the Miami box.

Free kick to the hosts, a good chance to deliver...

Two final Miami changes. Luis Suarez and Ryan Sailor come on to replace Leonardo Campana and Sergii Kryvtsov. 

Sharp play from Messi and Negri on the left to make space. The latter pulls the ball back to Jordi Alba and he forces a good stop from Guzan. 

Corner kick to Miami. 

Leonardo Camapana

The Inter Miami striker goes into the book for an overly-physical challenge on the halfway line. 

A bit harsh. There didn't seem to be much wrong with that. 

Atlanta United are still coming forward with intent. 

Alexey Miranchuck does well to make space for himself on the edge of the Inter Miami box but his effort is well off-target. 

Good work from Yannick Bright to hold off the challenges and get his team moving forward again. 

Inter Miami are a little under the cosh now, struggling to get up the field.

This looks like a 4-4-2 from the Herons, with Lionel Messi and Leonardo Campana functioning as a partnership. 

Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba combine on the edge of the Atlanta box, before squaring the ball to Weigandt. The Miami full-back tries his luck from 20 yards but skies the effort over the crossbar. 

It looks like Jordi Alba will be playing on the left wing for Inter Miami now, getting his creative talents further up the field for the final 25 minutes. 

Jordi Alba and Federico Redondo come on for the Herons. David Ruiz and Robert Taylor are replaced. 

It's end-to-end now, the pace of the game accelerated by those quick-fire goals. 

Alexey Miranchuk has been shifted inside for Atlanta and he's starting to dictate the play for the hosts. 

Inter Miami punt the ball up field towards Campana. The goal-scorer can't bring it down and it bounces through to Guzan. 

Why wasn't Lionel Messi starting for Inter Miami?

Ahead of the game Tata Martino confirmed that Lionel Messi was fit to play against Atlanta United but admitted that his captain needed to regain full fitness. 

Messi will have half an hour here. What can he produce?

Huge noise around Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Lionel Messi comes on for Inter Miami. He replaces Julian Gressel, who had enjoyed a solid game. 

The game sparks into lift after a flat ten minutes at the start of the second half. 

What next? Lionel Messi is ready to enter the fray...

Inter Miami are straight up the other end and win a free kick on the edge of the Atlanta box. 

Around 25 yards from goal. Left of center. 

Lobjanidze header draws Atlanta level!

It was against the run of play but Atlanta won't care about that. 

Good cross and a good header form the hosts, but very poor goalkeeping from Callender. 

Miami work the ball out to Robert Taylor on the left and the winger cuts inside onto his right foot, making space for a shot. His effort is wild, though, ballooned over the crossbar. 

Derrick Williams tries an ambitious cross-field pass out to Saba Lobjanidze on the left, but the Georgian had already cut his run short. 

That's been the story of the night so far for Atlanta, struggling to find connections between players. 

Inter Miami curl in a cross from the right, repelled by an Atlanta head and out for a corner kick. 

Gressel trots across to take the kick but Atlanta defend it well. 

Julian Gressel shows good footwork to retain possession in the Atlanta half, skipping past a a couple of challenges. 

The former Atlanta United man has quietly had a good game so far. 

Slow start to the second half, both teams easing their way back into the action. 

Huge cheers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Lionel Messi emerges from the Inter Miami bench to begin his warmups. 

No substitutions for either team at the break and no obvious chance of systems for the second half. 

The players are out at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

We're nearly ready for the start of the second half. 

Atlanta United are out on the field. As usual, we're still waiting for Inter Miami...

Inter Miami tighten grip on Supporters' Shield.

The Herons may hold a dominant lead but they haven't yet make it mathematically secure. One of their closest rivals - Columbus Crew - rotated their team heavily this evening and are struggling to break down Toronto FC. 

More good news for Inter Miami. 

Will Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami?

The Herons are one-nil up at the break but haven't yet had to unleash their firepower. Inter Miami have Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba on the bench, just waiting to be called upon. 

Of course, if the Herons take a commanding lead Miami may decided to give their veteran stars the night off.

Watch: David Ruiz goal edges Inter Miami ahead.

Without Federico Redondo and Sergio Busquets in the team, David Ruiz was given at starting berth against Atlanta and he's thrived in the first half. He coolly converted this chance and looked confident on the ball throughout. 

Inter Miami seem content to spend the final moment of the first half knocking the ball around midfield. Atlanta seem incapable of stopping them. 

We're going to have two minutes of added time at the end of the first half. 

Leonardo Campana is penalised for a clumsy challenge on Derrick Williams. The Inter Miami forward hasn't seen much of the play so far in Atlanta. 

Strong running from Brook Lennon to get in behind Miami. He pulls a cross back across the face of goal but Ian Fray puts in a sprawling block to cut out the pass. 

Good work from Fray. 

Brilliant, incisive through-ball from Gregersen to play the ball towards Saba Lobjanidze, running in behind the Miami backline. But, no! Teammate Daniel Rios steps into the path of the ball and intercepts, opting to recycle possession instead. 

Loud groans around the stadium. 

The game restarts with Weigandt still on the field, but he's moving a little gingerly out on that right flank. The Herons will be hoping that he can make it to the half time break so he can be properly assessed. 

Marcelo Weigandt

Uh-oh. Bad news for Inter Miami, the right-back is down clutching his knee. 

Dogged defending from Weigandt to track the run of Lobjanidze, make the tackle and prevent the ball rolling out of play for an Atlanta corner kick. 

That goal has clearly given David Ruiz confidence and the young midfielder tries his luck again from distance. 

Easily saved by Guzan, but a decent hit from Ruiz. 

Good work from Pedro Amador to make room for a cross on the left but his low delivery is easily claimed by Callender. 

Back to the action. Atlanta United come up-field and win a corner. There's some pushing in the box between Bright and Gregerson. 

The corner is whipped in and falls to the feet of Miranchuk who tries to shift the ball onto his stronger left foot but he can't find space for the shot. Miami clear. 

David Ruiz fires Inter Miami ahead.

Good work from Franco Negri to charge in-field from the left flank. He poked the pall through to David Ruiz, who swivelled in the box and coolly passed the ball into the back of Brad Guzan's net. 

VAR check- Offside

Hold old, the officials are taking another look at this one. Was Ruiz in an offside position when he collected the ball in the Atlanta box?

Verdict - NO! The goals stands. 

Inter Miami lead 1-0. 

Good play from Franco Negri to dart inside and play a sharp one-two with Leo Campana. He tries to poke the ball out to Gressl but the pass is intercepted. 

Incidentally, goalkeeper Drake Callender is wearing the captain's armband for Inter Miami in the absence of Lionel Messi from the starting XI. 

Now one-quarter of the way through the Game, both teams will be fairly happy with how this Game has started. Inter Miami have shaded it in terms of possession but Atlanta have stood strong. 

Poor touch from David Ruiz sees Inter Miami lose possession in a promising area. Inter Miami have dropped off a little in the last few minutes. 

We haven't seen much from the Atlanta midfield so far, but the twin threats of Saba Lobjanidze and Alexey Miranchuk on the flanks can cause problems. 

They'll aim to keep the Miami full-backs pinned back. 

Gressel's free kick is cleared and Atlanta break. 

Lobjanidze does brilliantly to jink inside from the left and loft a perfect pass over to Miranchuk at the back post. The big forward tries to nod it back across the face of goal for a team mate but Miami intercept. 

Inter Miami have a chance to deliver with quality from the right. 

It's Julian Gressel to take. He certainly does possess the required quality. 

Dax McCarty

The veteran midfielder is booked for clipping former Atlanta United star Gressel on the edge of the box. 

The Herons pounce on a poor Atlanta pass and drive forward. Campana does well to bring the ball upfield and Cremaschi sends in a teasing cross. 

Gressel recovers the loose ball at the back post and forces a sharp save from Brad Guzan. 

Inter Miami have looked assured in the opening stages, impressive given that eight of the ten outfield players have been changed for tonight's game. 

Pedro Amador whips in a left-footed cross from the right. He's aiming for Slisz but the Pole can't quite get his head on it and Miami clear. 

Marcelo Weigandt

The Herons full-back is booked for that foul. 

Miranchuk does well to sweep the ball out to Pedro Amador on the left flank. He makes space for a cross but Marcelo Weigandt scythes him down. 
Atlanta United free kick, good place to deliver into the box. 

Quick throw-in gives Gressel a crossing opportunity on the right but his delivery is blocked in the middle. A wasted opening there for Miami. 

Neat touches from Alexey Miranchuck on the halfway line, skipping past a couple of Miami challenges. 

Atlanta's Daniel Rios has a chance to bring his team up the field, latching onto a long ball, but he can't keep hold of in and Miami soon regain possession. 

Why is Tata Martino suspended for Inter Miami?

No Tata Martino for the touchline for Inter Miami tonight, of course. The Herons head coach was issued a suspension "due to technical staff caution accumulation" in previous games .

Assured start from Inter Miami, knocking the ball around calmly in Atlanta. 

Strong run forward from David Ruiz in the opening moments, driving his team up the field. 

Who is in the Inter Miami team to face Atlanta United?

Here's another look at the starting XI selected by head coach Tata Martino this evening. Eight changes for the team that beat Philadelphia Union last weekend. 

None of Messi, Suarez, Alba and Busquets start for the Herons. 

Atlanta United go through their paces.

Final preparations for the hosts. Atlanta United managed a 3-1 victory over Inter Miami in the reverse fixture earlier this season. 

They can't do it again, can they?

Kick-off approaching at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

We're little over ten minutes from the off in Atlanta, where the hosts are looking to put a dent in Inter Miami's imperious run of form. The visitors start with Messi, Suarez and Alba on the bench but there's plenty of quality in the starting XI selected by Tata Martino tonight. 

Benjamin Cremaschi relishing start for Inter Miami.

The young Floridian midfielder was one of the breakthrough stars of 2023 in MLS but his progression has been hampered by an early-season injury this year. Still only 19 years old, Cremaschi signed a contract extension earlier this week and is now handed a start against Atlanta. 

Why isn't Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami?

“Leo came out of the last game fine... Obviously, tired. It was his first 90 minutes after a long time, but he finished very well.

"He will travel to both [Atlanta United and NYCFC] games. But we have three games in one week, two on the road, so we have to go day by day and not stretch him or the other players.”

MLS

Lionel Messi makes more MLS history on Inter Miami return against Philadelphia Union

Lionel Messi continued his incredible MLS record with a brace and an assist against Philadelphia Union last weekend. Speaking after the game, Messi gave fans an update on his fitness having recently returned from a two-month injury absence. 

"Little by little, I started training again with the group, I started feeling good and that’s why we decided that I would start. I’m very happy, very pleased.”

Another milestone for Lionel Messi

Can Atlanta United beat Inter Miami?

The hosts are, by some distance, underdogs for tonight's game. Nevertheless Atlanta United possess game-winners and will be out to prove the doubters wrong in front of a passionate home support. 

Earlier this month they beat Charlotte FC 1-0 on the road, thanks to Jay Fortune's first goal in MLS. 

Inter Miami in the house in Atlanta.

The visiting Herons are out on the field, surveying the premises, ahead of this Eastern Conference clash. Last year Atlanta would have been strong favourites in this match-up. 

My, how times have changed. 

SOCCER

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr release Messi statement

The Atlanta United defenders will be hoping that Lionel Messi leaves them alone this evening. Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr - home of Cristiano Ronaldo - will be hoping for something similar after objecting to supporters' use of a 'Messi' celebration in their stadium. 

Al-Nassr release Lionel Messi statement

Mercedes-Benz Stadium plays host to Messi and Miami.

Also the home of NFL side the Atlanta Falcons, this vast stadium will be packed this evening as Atlanta United take on Inter Miami in MLS. It's quite the venue for sports. 

And here's the Atlanta United team

This is the starting XI selected by Atlanta United's interim head coach Rob Valentino. Few surprises for the hosts, Mexican striker Daniel Rios leads the line up front. 

No Lionel Messi for Inter Miami.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi drops to the bench for tonight's game. Having only recently returned from an ankle injury that kept him out for two months, Tata Martino is reluctant to risk his captain. 

The Herons have three games in eight days this week, with a trip to New York City FC on the cards on Saturday. Above all else, the playoffs will now be Inter Miami's top priority and Martino will be eager to give his veteran superstars the best chance of hitting top form in the post-season. 

Inter Miami team news: Why isn't Lionel Messi playing?

The team news is in! Tata Martino has made changes and rested Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba for tonight's game. 

MLS 2024

Despite injuries, Messi is close to a near-impossible MLS record

Last weekend Lionel Messi played his first MLS game since June 1, having missed the entirety of the summer due to Copa America and then an ankle injury. Nevertheless, could he still break an MLS record?

Lionel Messi's MLS record

Recap: Inter Miami stunned by Atlanta at Chase Stadium.

Few gave Atlanta United a chance when they travelled to Miami earlier this year but they put in their best performance of the year against the runaway Supporters' Shield leaders. The 3-1 victory was inspired by the now-departed Thiago Almada, but the Five Stripes will take heart from that recent success. 

Recap: Statement victory over Columbus Crew.

Back in July Atlanta, winless in their previous five games, pulled off a major shock by beating reigning MLS Cup holders Columbus Crew 2-1, both goals coming from thumping Stian Gregerson headers. Inter Miami will have to watch out for the big Norwegian from set pieces this evening. 

Atlanta United arrive in style.

Little is expected of the Five Stripes against Inter Miami this evening but they've managed to coax some good performances from this inconsistent teams this season. 

Let's take a look at a couple of those impressive Atlanta United victories over top teams in the MLS Eastern Conference..

MLS

Inter Miami team news: Is Lionel Messi playing against Atlanta United?

As kick-off approaches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, there's one question on the minds of supporters heading there: Will Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami?

We'll have a conclusive answer when the line-ups are confirmed in the next 15-or-so minutes, but here's what we know so far...

Inter Miami team news

Atlanta readied for massive MLS meeting.

The Five Stripes have struggled this season and saw two key players - Almada and Giakoumakis - depart during a tumultuous summer. Nevertheless, they retain a talented squad and will be hopeful of pulling off an upset this evening. 

Can they withstand this Miami machine?

MLS

Benjamin Cremaschi bags contract extension: How much is his Inter Miami salary?

For all the big-name additions and stellar signings, not all of this Inter Miami team share the same illustrious back-story. Young, homegrown midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi broke into the first team last year and has now been rewarded with a new contract with the Herons. 

Benjamin Cremaschi's new Inter Miami deal

Busy midweek matchday in MLS.

The regular season is reaching a crescendo now with plenty still to play for in both the East and West Conferences. Among tonight's biggest games Houston Dynamo and Vancouver Whitecaps go head-to-head, while two of the West's strongest sides - Portland Timbers and LA Galaxy - face off. 

MLS

When is Atlanta United - Inter Miami? How to watch on TV, stream online | MLS

We're now around 90 minutes from kick-off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. We'll be bringing you full live coverage right here on AS USA, however you can also choose to watch or stream the Game wherever you are in the world. 

Here's everything you need to know...

How to watch Inter Miami

Inter Miami head to Atlanta for MLS clash.

It's a busy week for the Herons, with trips to Atlanta United and New York City FC coming up after the home victory over Philadelphia Union last weekend. Will Tata Martino choose to rotate his team or stick with a winning formula?

We'll find out shortly. 

Inter Miami continue their hunt for MLS history this evening against Atlanta United, taking on a team who have targets of their own as we approach the end of the regular season. 

Lionel Messi marked his return after three months absent with a starring performance against the Philadelphia Union last weekend and he's believed to be in line to start again today. 

I'm Will Gittins - AS USA soccer correspondent - and I'll be bringing you all the latest updates. Away we go.,,