MATCH RESULT: Inter Miami CF falls to Atlanta United, closes historic 2024 MLS season

Inter Miami CF narrowly fell 2-3 to Atlanta United on Saturday night in the decisive third leg of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-of-3 series, ending the team’s historic 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign. Midfielder Matías Rojas and captain Lionel Messi scored the team’s goals on the night at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami took to the field with two changes to their starting XI from the second match of the series. Drake Callender started in goal; Marcelo Weigant; Tomás Avilés, David Martínez and Jordi Alba formed a back line of four; Benjamin Cremaschi, Federico Redondo and Rojas lined up in midfield; Messi and Diego Gómez flanked striker Luis Suárez to lead the team’s attack.

Inter Miami opened the game and took the lead in the 17th minute through a goal by Rojas. Quick play in transition saw Alba play a ball into space for Gómez down the left wing before finding Messi inside the box, where his subsequent left-footed effort was saved by the Atlanta United keeper. Rojas then capitalized on the rebound inside the penalty area and sent the ball into the back of the net with a right-footed strike. The goal took his tally in this 2024 MLS campaign to five and to nine across all competitions in 2024.

Atlanta United striker Jamal Thiaré then scored in the 19th and 21st minutes to give the visitors a 1-2 lead at the break.

Inter Miami made a substitution in the 60th minute in search of an equaliser, with striker Leonardo Campana coming on for Cremaschi. Remarkably, the Ecuadorian forward registered his 100th appearance for the team to become just the third player in the club’s history to reach the 100-game mark.

Inter Miami equalized minutes later, with Messi leveling the game at 2-2 in the 65th minute. A team play started by Messi ended with Suárez finding Weigandt inside the right side of the opponent’s box. The right-back then delivered a cross to Messi inside the penalty area, who sent the ball into the back of the net with a powerful header. The goal was Messi’s 21st this MLS season and 23rd in all competitions in 2024. The assist was Weigandt’s fourth of this league campaign, while Suárez recorded his 10th assist with the secondary assist on the play.

Atlanta United midfielder Bartosz Slisz then scored in the 76th minute for the final 2–3 result.

With the team falling in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-of-3 series, Inter Miami’s 2024 MLS season ends. In the 2024 MLS season, Inter Miami made history and achieved several milestones, most notably winning the Supporters’ Shield to claim a second title in club history and set the MLS regular season scoring record with 74 points.