Inter Miami can book a place in the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs with a victory over Atlanta United in game two of that series on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Last Friday, the Herons hung on to a 2-1 triumph in the first match of this series, in what was their first post-season victory in club history.
Match preview
© Imago
For the second time in 10 days, Atlanta United will face elimination, except this time, they are doing it against the top team in the league throughout the regular season.
There is no question they have a huge hill to climb, given the calibre of their opponent, but in match one of this series, they gave them a good fight, losing by just a single goal.
That said, they spent a good portion of the match defending, with only 34% possession and two efforts on target, both of which may have to change if they are to stay alive in the playoffs.
Rob Valentino's men have earned points in two of their last three MLS home fixtures, winning their previous game in Atlanta against the New York Red Bulls (2-1).
The Five Stripes have not lost a playoff contest at Mercedes-Benz Stadium since 2019 (2-1 versus Toronto), winning their only post-season encounter in Atlanta last year against the Columbus Crew (4-2).
They are unbeaten in their last five home fixtures versus the Herons, playing to a 2-2 draw on matchday 32 of this regular season.
© Imago
We did not see the best of Miami in game one, but it was enough to get the job done and move one step away from making the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time.
It was their third successive victory when scoring the opening goal after they had failed to win their previous two games when doing so.
Tata Martino's men are on a 12-match unbeaten run domestically, including five in a row outside of Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Since losing 3-2 at home to CF Montreal in March, this team are unbeaten in their last 22 league contests in which they netted multiple times.
Miami have won their last four encounters against Eastern Conference opposition and have not lost to a side in the East since FC Cincinnati clobbered them 6-1 in early July.
The Herons are winless in six of their seven visits to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with their lone triumph coming in their inaugural MLS campaign in 2020 (2-1).
Team News
© Imago
In the opening match of this series, Atlanta were without Edwin Mosquera due to a sore knee, and Quentin Westberg sat out because of a head injury.
Saba Lobzhanidze briefly drew his side level last Friday just a few minutes before the interval, scoring his second goal in his previous three MLS affairs.
On the Miami side, Nicolas Freire and Facundo Farias will not be available for the remainder of the campaign due to ACL issues, David Ruiz and Oscar Ustari are dealing with hamstring issues, while Ian Fray limped off in the latter stages of game one and is questionable for this match.
Luis Suarez put his team in front after just two minutes last week, with Lionel Messi setting up the winner by Jordi Alba on the hour mark.
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Rode Gregersen, Williams, Amador; McCarty, Slisz; Lobzhanidze, Miranchuk, Fortune; Rios
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; Weigandt, Aviles, Martinez, Alba; Bright, Busquets, Rojas; Gressel, Suarez, Messi
We say: Atlanta United 1-3 Inter Miami (Inter Miami wins series 2-0)
It has rarely been a straightforward victory for Miami, but their individual quality always seems to shine when needed, and we believe that alone will be enough to see them eliminate the Five Stripes this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
