Lionel Messi and Inter Miami faced an unexpected exit from the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs, losing 3-2 to the ninth-seeded Atlanta United on Saturday at home during a decisive match in a best-of-three series.
Miami midfielder Matías Rojas got the home team off to a strong start, scoring in the 17th minute. However, Atlanta responded quickly, taking the lead thanks to two goals from striker Jamal Thiaré within just two minutes. Messi managed to equalize with his first playoff goal in the 65th minute, bringing the score to 2-2. Unfortunately for Miami, Bartosz Slisz netted the game-winning header in the 76th minute, leading to one of the biggest upsets in MLS history.
Despite an impressive regular season where Miami racked up a record 74 points and secured the Supporters’ Shield, the team, which was considered a favorite for the MLS Cup, exited the playoffs prematurely. Defender Jordi Alba expressed his thoughts on the playoff format, suggesting it might be unfair: “If it were up to me, I would have the champion of one conference against the champion of the other, to make it as fair as possible.”
Meanwhile, Atlanta United, which barely made it to the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, will now face the fourth-seeded Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Interim manager Rob Valentino commented on the team’s triumph, stating, “You can see the emotion in the players… I hope we’re not done now.”
With the elimination of the top three seeds in the East, the playoff landscape has become unpredictable, paving the way for an exciting Eastern Conference semifinal. The MLS Cup final is set to take place on December 7.
Comment: This surprising outcome highlights the unpredictable nature of sports, emphasizing that anything can happen in postseason play. Fans can look forward to an exciting remainder of the playoffs that showcases emerging talents and underdog stories.
Summary: Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated from the MLS playoffs after a 3-2 loss to Atlanta United, who came from behind to secure a stunning victory. Despite Miami’s record-setting regular season and high expectations, the team’s playoff run ended prematurely. Atlanta, now looking to build on this momentum, will advance to face Orlando City in the next round, further opening up the Eastern Conference.