Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team faced an unexpected exit from the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs on Saturday, as they lost 3-2 to Atlanta United, the No. 9 seed, in the decisive match of their best-of-three series held at home.
The match began positively for Miami when Matías Rojas scored in the 17th minute. However, Atlanta quickly regained momentum, with striker Jamal Thiaré scoring two goals in a span of just two minutes, allowing the visitors to take a 2-1 lead into halftime.
Messi managed to equalize in the 65th minute with his inaugural playoff goal, making it 2-2. Yet, Atlanta’s Bartosz Slisz netted a header in the 76th minute, securing one of the most significant upsets in MLS history over the top-seeded Miami team.
Despite an outstanding regular season where Miami accrued a record 74 points and claimed the Supporters’ Shield, their playoff journey came to an abrupt halt. Following the loss, Miami defender Jordi Alba expressed concerns about the fairness of the playoff format, suggesting it differs from traditional methods he’d experienced in Europe. He acknowledged Atlanta as worthy opponents and praised their performance.
After a best-of-three first round, the playoffs shift to a single-elimination format for the conference semifinals, finals, and the MLS Cup match.
Atlanta United, which narrowly qualified for the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, will proceed to face Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semifinal. Atlanta’s interim manager, Rob Valentino, celebrated the team’s triumph, emphasizing the joy it brings after a difficult period for the club and expressing hope for continued success in the playoffs.
The playoff landscape in the Eastern Conference has been dramatically shaken up, with the elimination of the top three seeds, including Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati. The MLS Cup final is set for December 7, keeping the excitement alive for the remaining teams.
This unexpected turn of events in the playoffs serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of sports, where lower-seeded teams can rise to the occasion and create thrilling narratives. Soccer fans can look forward to a captivating tournament as underdogs like Atlanta aim to continue their journey to the MLS Cup.