Dax McCarty on "incredible" last home match of his career and Game 3 against Inter Miami

Must-win game is a term that is now embedded into sports a whole. Throughout the history of the game, from league to league, it is said that pressure is a privilege. Well, for MLS veteran Dax McCarty there is also a sense of gratitude when the lights are brightest.

In August, McCarty announced that he would be retiring at the end of the 2024 season. This season will be putting the bookend on one of the most legendary and sustained careers in MLS history – 19 seasons under his belt. In Atlanta United’s match earlier this season on April 27 against Chicago Fire, one of McCarty's former clubs, McCarty made his 500th appearance in MLS.

His professional career started with FC Dallas in 2006, since then he has been a key part of several organizations like New York Red Bulls, D.C. United, Chicago Fire, and Nashville SC.

When he became a free agent in the offseason before the 2024 season, Atlanta United was immediately on his radar as a club he could play for.

“From the outside, you always look at Atlanta United as a big club, and a club with high expectations. Big pressure to succeed and to win,” said McCarty back in January. “Then you get here, and you realize that is the expectation inside the locker room as well. For me, that is excellent. That is exactly what I was looking for in my free agency journey.”

Since January, it has been a rollercoaster season for the 5-Stripes. From monumental wins to learning lessons, as well as consistent roster turnover.

On October 19, Decision Day in MLS, it was said that Atlanta’s chances to make the playoffs were as low as 10 percent. Fast forward to Saturday, November 2 where Atlanta United rallied to defeat Miami 2-1 in Game 2 of the Round One Best-of-3 Series in front of 68,455 spectators at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The late goal from Xande Silva lifted Atlanta to the win and tied the series.

It is the type of moment and pressure pact situation that players hope they can achieve at least once their career. McCarty felt that ten times over knowing it would be his last home match of his career.

“So, it was 1-1 when I got subbed out and I was just overcome with gratitude, really emotional. I knew that was going to be my last home game ever,” said McCarty after the match. “And wow, what an atmosphere. Just stuff you dream about. Honestly, our supporters were just incredible... And when Xande scored, man, I said this earlier, but thankfully for Arthur, the roof was open. If it was closed, it would've blown the roof off this place. That's how loud it was. I mean, just incredible.”

Not only have the 5-Stripes kept up with the 2024 Supporters’ Shield winners but they have defied expectations by playing extremely well. Taking on the likes of Miami’s big four - Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets - is no small feat. McCarty, along with other players, have stated the key to success has been playing with “no fear”. It is clear to see they are leaving everything out on the pitch. There is a top-down effort being put into this Round One matchup, including how Atlanta defends the offensive power that Miami has burned teams with.

“There's always a little bit of uncertainty, but I think the message from the staff, was ‘if you make mistakes, it happens. Just keep going. Don't stop. Don't stop trying to play because against them, you can't let them just have the ball. You can't let them have 65-70% of the ball because you're going to bend and bend and bend and eventually, you'll break’,” said McCarty.

Atlanta United’s next playoff test will be on Saturday November 9. They will travel back to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale to play a must-win Game 3. They have already played there twice this season. Once in the regular season, where they pulled off a dominant 3-1 victory back in May. The second was for Game 1 of this series. Despite dropping that game 2-1, the 5-Stripes played a hard-fought match. It was their third match in six days; they also had to deal with unexpected injuries in the first half. This time, they will have more rest and momentum on their side.

“We're playing like we have nothing to lose, and I love that,” said McCarty. “I mean obviously wish it would've been a little bit more during the season, but that's in the past and it's a new tournament now and we're confident and we feel like we can go down there and win.”

Fans not traveling to Fort Lauderdale to cheer on the 5-Stripes for the winner-take-all Game 3 can catch all the action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, 8 p.m. ET kickoff. Supporters can also listen to the match on local radio STAR 94 (English) and La Mejor (Spanish). Atlanta United is also hosting a watch party at SweetWater Brewery for those staying in town.