Lionel Messi and Inter Miami experienced a surprising early exit from the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs on Saturday, falling 3-2 to Atlanta United, who entered the postseason as the No. 9 seed. This decisive match took place at home for Miami and concluded the best-of-three series.
The game started positively for Miami when Matías Rojas scored in the 17th minute. However, Atlanta quickly countered with two quick goals from striker Jamal Thiaré, reversing the score before halftime. Messi made his mark by scoring his first playoff goal in the 65th minute, bringing the game to a 2-2 tie. Yet, Bartosz Slisz netted a header in the 76th minute, sealing what could be classified as one of the biggest upsets in MLS playoff history.
Despite their playoff disappointment, Miami had a record-setting regular season, finishing with 74 points and earning the Supporters’ Shield. This impressive feat also granted them a controversial invitation to the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup, making them major favorites heading into the playoffs.
Miami defender Jordi Alba expressed concerns about the playoff format, stating that it can seem somewhat unjust. He proposed a system where the conference champions face each other for fairness, while also acknowledging the skill of their opponents and the outstanding performance of Atlanta’s goalkeeper.
The playoff format sees a change from the best-of-three rounds in the first round to single-elimination matches in the semifinals, finals, and MLS Cup, complete with the possibility of extra time and penalties.
On the bright side for Atlanta United, who narrowly made the playoffs on the last day of the season, their victory propels them to face No. 4 seed Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Atlanta’s interim manager, Rob Valentino, expressed his team’s emotional victory and hopes for continued success in the tournament.
With the elimination of the top three seeds in the East, the playoff landscape appears more competitive than ever, creating an exciting environment as fans await the MLS Cup final scheduled for December 7.
This unexpected twist adds a thrilling aspect to the ongoing playoffs, reminding fans that anything can happen in sports, no matter the regular-season standings. Fans will be eager to see how these dynamics play out in the upcoming matches.