With several star-quality names and lofty expectations between the two Eastern Conference clubs, Sunday’s meeting between Atlanta United and Inter Miami CF feels like a legendary clash in Major League Soccer. The marquee slot on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire features two exciting teams as they face off for the first time since the epic Round One upset in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Each edition of this series has brought incredible moments. Yet even with all the hype and history, Atlanta United has maintained a focused mindset this week in training. Friday’s session was ripe with competition as the group worked to crispen passes, fine tune details and bring intensity to each touch on the ball.
“It’s another game, obviously a difficult game in the sense that they’re a very good team with good individuals,” goalkeeper Brad Guzan told reporters Friday. “It doesn’t change from our point of view in terms of going into Sunday looking to try and get three points.”
Will Latte Lath play?
Atlanta United fans collectively held their breath when the club announced Monday night that forward Emmanuel Latte Lath had entered concussion protocol. The forward took a hard knock while defending a set piece in the club’s most recent match last Saturday at home against New York Red Bulls.
The good news is that Latte Lath trained with the group this week. On Friday, he was very competitive in the relay races and small-sided drills during the open part of training. Afterward, head coach Ronny Deila confirmed that Latte Lath is ready for Sunday’s match.
That’s exactly what Atlanta United supporters want to hear as their team goes up against a talented Inter Miami squad. Head coach Javier Mascherano’s group has yet to lose in the regular season and is one of four MLS clubs remaining in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Latte Lath leads Atlanta United in scoring after three matches, securing a brace in his memorable debut, which led to his first MLS Team of the Matchday honors. His pace brings quality to Atlanta United’s attack, and he’s proven to be dangerous not only with both feet but in the air as well, earning a comparison to “Air Jordan” from his manager.
Entering Matchday 4, Atlanta United is in the midst of a scoring drought, and Latte Lath, along with backup Cayman Togashi who made his first career MLS appearance last weekend against Red Bulls, could provide some relief. The team is coming off being shutout in back-to-back matches against Charlotte FC and Red Bulls, and it’s been over 180 minutes since Atlanta United has found the back of the net.
Considering the high-octane quality Atlanta United has in the attack – Miguel Almirón, Alexey Miranchuk, Saba Lobjanidze and Latte Lath – it feels like only a matter of time before the floodgates open. It’s all about finding the right channels, the right chemistry, and this group having more time to gel. Refine the details and continue to create clear-cut chances, as Deila said Friday, and the goals will come.
“In the last third of the pitch, we need to be more accurate,” Deila said. “We have to run to score as a team, not score for ourselves.”
Will Lionel Messi play for Miami?
Well, the answer to that is we still don’t know for sure. After missing Miami’s previous three matches, Lionel Messi did play Thursday in Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup match against Cavalier FC in Kingston, Jamaica. The midfielder subbed on in the 53rd minute and scored a goal in second-half stoppage time to ice the win for Miami. It was his first appearance since February 25 in the Concacaf Champions Cup match against Sporting Kansas City. He's only played in one regular season match this year, the club's season opener against New York City FC.
As of midday on Friday, there’s no certainty either way of Messi’s status and availability for the match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Inter Miami is expected to prioritize their run in the Champions Cup and the quarterfinals kick off next month. Sunday’s MLS matchup also comes during a condensed portion of the schedule for Miami, and there’s been “load management” when it comes to the world-class superstar from Argentina.
“It’s the quality of their guys that can unlock a game with one pass, one move, one play,” Guzan said. “You have to make sure that you’re aware of where guys are at all times.”
Of course, Messi is one of those guys. But whether he plays or not, Atlanta United will want to make sure they’re aware of a few more guys on the pitch wearing pink and black:
- Sergio Busquets, the Spanish midfielder whose cerebral approach and experience sets the table for Miami’s attack.
- Luis Suárez, the ruthless striker from Uruguay whose 20 regular season goals led the team in scoring last year, tied with Messi.
- Tadeo Allende, the high-quality attacker from La Liga who’s already tallied two goals in 154 minutes played.
- Benjamin Cremaschi, Yannick Bright and Telasco Segovia, the willing youngsters who are dangerous in transition and set up opportunities for Miami’s attack.
How's the defense looking for Atlanta United coming off a clean sheet?
Atlanta United has faced a few injuries just three matches into the regular season, and it still seems like we haven’t seen Atlanta’s best, most experienced XI. But that could change Sunday as Atlanta United looks to have more depth, especially at fullback.
Both Pedro Amador and Brooks Lennon met with the media on Wednesday and appear to be good to go for Sunday. Amador missed the first two matches of the season with a hamstring injury. He then earned the start and played a full 90 minutes in the match against Red Bulls. Lennon has been recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered during the playoff meeting between these two squads last fall, which knocked him out of the Eastern Conference Semifinals and the first three matches of the regular season.
The availability of these two players could mean the most experienced group of defenders that we’ve seen for Atlanta United all season. Matt Edwards, the Homegrown fullback, has filled in and stepped up in a big way, starting all three matches and defending world-class talent, as he did with Wilfried Zaha in the meeting two weeks ago in Charlotte. Whether it’s Edwards starting and Lennon coming off the bench, or vice versa, Deila is grateful to have options and competition at the position.
As much as they bring to the defense, Amador and Lennon also contribute to the attack. Amador finished 2024 on a hot streak with eight assists in 14 appearances. Three of those assists came in the MLS Cup Playoffs series against Inter Miami, including setting up the series and game-winner in Game 3 to Bartosz Slisz. Lennon is just one assist shy of tying the all-time lead in assists for the club.
“You’re a fullback, so I want you to attack, but number one is to defend,” Deila said. “Find a better balance between attacking and also having balance in the team. That’s going to be very important against Miami because they have a couple of players that can hurt us in transition.”
Can Atlanta United continue its success against Inter Miami?
Atlanta United has played very well against the Herons in recent history. The 5-Stripes have won four of the six most recent matchups, including the playoff series in 2024.
Of course, the match on everyone’s mind is last time these two sides met in Fort Lauderdale during the MLS Cup Playoffs. It was one of the most memorable moments of Atlanta United’s history, and certainly of the 2024 season. Atlanta United played spoiler, shocking the world as the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference and eliminating the Supporters’ Shield winners in a Best-of-3 Series.
That last match was historic, memorable and exciting. It arguably gives each team something to prove when they meet again -- and the supporters in the stands all the more reason to rock Mercedes-Benz Stadium. At the end of the day, to Deila, Sunday’s match means no more than the next match on the schedule.
“It’s three points, and we want to win every game we are into,” he said. “It’s an exciting game, and of course, with the history also, that makes it even more exciting.”
