Atlanta United beats No. 1 Inter Miami CF in exhilarating atmosphere to force Game 3

Everything was on the line for Atlanta United on Saturday as the club hosted No. 1 seed Inter Miami CF in a must-win match in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Round One Best-of-3 Series. And the team gave everything, showing a lot of fight to defeat the Supporters’ Shield winners 2-1 in Game 2 behind a last-gasp goal from Xande Silva.

The game-winner arrived in the match’s dying moments. As Atlanta United pressed for the equalizer in stoppage time, looking to end the match in regulation and avoid penalty kicks, midfielder Alexey Miranchuk won the ball in Atlanta’s half. A fast combination between Miranchuk, Tristan Muyumba and Daniel Ríos created open space at the top of the box for Xande Silva. The winger took a touch with the outside of his right foot then struck a stunner with his right, into the upper corner of the net, to send Mercedes-Benz Stadium into an uproar.

The goal secured the win, which extends Atlanta United’s run in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The series will be determined by Game 3 next Saturday, Nov. 9 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The winner will advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

“The way it goes down, it was just wild,” said interim head coach Rob Valentino in his post-match press conference. “I guess that’s our story this year, or maybe every year, I don’t know. We make things interesting, don’t we?”

After a bout of possession for Atlanta to kick off the match, Miami created its first dangerous chance early. The play began with a backheel from Jordi Alba, then a long horizontal switch from Luis Suárez. After a few more passes, the play ended with a sliding attempt just out of range inside the box. Suárez, looking to repeat his second-minute goal in Game 1, followed up the next possession for Miami with a wicked long-range shot, but the attempt sailed over the crossbar in the third minute.

Around the 25-minute mark, the first half started to shift in Atlanta United’s favor and the home team found some space to create dangerous opportunities. Center back Derrick Williams made an interception in Atlanta’s defensive box that led to a rapid counterattack going the other way. The ball moved up the pitch quickly, and Alexey Miranchuk fed the ball to starting striker Jamal Thiaré. A Miami defender deflected the pass going toward Atlanta’s goal. Thiaré was nearly able to take advantage but Miami recovered in time and kicked the ball away for an Atlanta United corner.

On the proceeding corner kick, Atlanta United created two header opportunities back-to-back inside the box. The second, off Williams from a cross served by fullback Pedro Amador, just missed. The near misses got the supporters in the stands on their feet to reward the effort from the 5-Stripes.

A few other opportunities during this stretch included a long-range strike from Miranchuk, which required a diving save from Miami goalkeeper Drake Callendar. Thiaré tried a dribble and a close range shot that, again, required a save. Thiaré had another moment when Saba Lobjanidze sent in a dangerous cross in the 30th minute. Callendar came off his line to bat the ball away in what was nearly a collision between striker and goalkeeper.

Miami struck first, however. After goalkeeper Brad Guzan collected a Miami corner kick, he brought the ball to the top of his box and dropped it for what appeared to be a punt. But before he could make contact, Guzan was tripped up, leaving a loose ball and an open net. David Martínez put it away to make it 1-0 Miami in the 40th minute.

Finally, Atlanta United’s moment arrived and the home side equalized. After nearly getting there earlier in the match, Williams converted a diving header off a cross from Amador — finding success on a connection that nearly worked earlier in the match. The finish sent the record crowd at Mercedes-Benz into a frenzy, and the match was even 1-1 in the 58th minute.

The goal was the first of the season for Williams. It was the seventh assist for Amador since arriving to the club this summer.

“It felt more positive,” Williams said. “When we went down there, they were on top a lot of the game, but I felt like here we were on top of their game in our building. I don’t remember them having many clear cut chances. A bit of a mistake for the goal. Other than that, I think we defended really well, everyone tonight, the 11 we really worked hard and did well.”

Guzan entered Saturday leading all MLS goalkeepers with 13 saves in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, and the veteran goalkeeper made another massive save in the 69th minute, stopping a fierce strike from Suárez at the near post.

Atlanta very nearly found the game-winner in the 89th minute. Off a corner kick, Daniel Ríos, who replaced Thiaré as a second-half substitute, flicked a header far post where Saba had some space. The winger hit a leaning volley that clanged off the crossbar, within inches of a second goal for Atlanta.

But stoppage time was just enough for Atlanta United to find the go-ahead goal and create an exuberant atmosphere at Mercedes-Benz Stadium reminiscent of 2018 or 2019 with “A-T-L” chants leading all the way out.

“I just came in and did my job,” Xande Silva said. “I’m happy to help the team.”

Atlanta did well defensively to keep a check on Miami’s talent. Luis Abram, making the start at center back, cleared the ball out of danger in the 18th minute. Dax McCarty, playing the last match of his career at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, made a few clearances, including in the 21st minute, which stopped a Suárez run. In the 27th, Ronald Hernández intercepted a through ball attempt to Lionel Messi.

“Anything you have to do to win the game,” Valentino said. “We did talk, obviously, about tactics. That’s important. But ultimately, then it’s having that belief and playing with intensity. I feel like they showed it and never gave up.”