Inter Miami begin their MLS title bid with a playoff match against Atlanta United.

At the end of the first phase of MLS, Inter Miami topped the Eastern Conference standings with 22 wins, 8 draws and only 4 losses. Inter Miami scored 79 goals, the strongest attack in the tournament. In terms of defense, Inter Miami is also among the teams that conceded the fewest goals with 49 times being scored by opponents.

That helped Lionel Messi and his teammates win the Supporters’ Shield (topping the Eastern and Western Conferences in the regular season standings). Now Inter Miami turn their attention to the playoffs with a match against Atlanta United.

This team finished the first phase in 9th place on the rankings, just enough to qualify for the play-off round. It is understandable that Inter Miami is rated higher.

Inter Miami off to a good start.

It took just 2 minutes for Luis Suarez to open the scoring with a precise shot in the penalty area. Before the first half ended, Saba Lobzhanidze unexpectedly equalized for the away team from a beautiful combination.

After the break, Inter Miami continued to press. This time, from Lionel Messi’s cross on the left wing, Jordi Alba fired a beautiful long-range shot into the top corner of the Atlanta United net. Messi was credited with an assist in this situation.

In the end, Inter Miami won 2-1 , thereby having a favorable start in the MLS playoffs this season. This is the first time in history, Inter Miami has won an MLS playoff match.

According to the competition format, in this first round, Inter Miami will face Atalanta United in 3 matches, the team that wins the most matches will have the right to continue.

After this round, the other matches will be “all or nothing”, meaning a single decisive match. To advance to the national final, in addition to overcoming Atlanta United in a series of 3 matches, Inter Miami must win the semifinals and the Eastern final.