The season’s been all about wins, but can Inter Miami turn records into titles when they face a fearless Atlanta?
One word sums up the MLS playoffs perfectly: intensity. With all eyes on them, Inter Miami advances under the leadership of Messi and head coach Tata Martino. In the meantime, Atlanta United might pull off one of those incredible postseason upsets; football is known for coming up with these surprises when you least expect them.
Breaking records, winning the Supporters’ Shield, and establishing an identity virtually overnight, Miami has dominated the regular season.
Seeing Messi with this team is more than just admiring his skill; it seems as though he has given the group a fantastical atmosphere. Every game turns into a spectacle that verges on pure amusement. We’re talking about 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 games with Messi on board.
Can they continue to dominate the regular season into the postseason? The allure of Major League Soccer is its unpredictable nature; in an instant, the top team could lose to a playoff underdog.
However, Atlanta’s plot keeps things engaging. They have developed into a resilient team as a result of a season full of ups and downs; they are coming in with momentum after winning three straight, most recently on penalties against CF Montréal in the Wild Card round. They shown a resilience few expected as they rose from 12th position to earn a playoff spot in the final round, in a Hollywood-style twist.
Miami is undoubtedly the favourite on paper. Messi, Jordi Alba, and Tata Martino’s tactical acumen have formed a combination that combines expertise with acute game vision. Martino is more interested in winning the MLS Cup than he is in enjoying the Supporters’ Shield victory.
However, we shouldn’t undervalue Atlanta United’s advantages. They will require a nearly faultless performance from goalie Brad Guzan, who will serve more as their “Berlin Wall,” as well as players like Alexey Miranchuk and Saba Lobjanidze, who have the quickness and cunning to take advantage of any Miami mistakes, in order to pull off the upset.
What about Messi? With six goals and four assists in the past week alone, his confidence is through the roof. He’s not Miami’s only ace, either. Inter Miami has all the tools necessary to win this series easily, including a deadly offence and a rock-solid defence.
However, Atlanta is accustomed to being the underdog. The team led by Rob Valentino has demonstrated that they are more than willing to take advantage of that responsibility. This first round is going to be exciting because of the MLS’s unpredictable nature. Because of this, Inter Miami should not blink in spite of the favouritism.
