Lionel Messi began his Inter Miami career in magical fashion, scoring a 94th minute winner against Cruz Azul just three days ago, setting DRV PNK Stadium alight, and putting the world on alert that Messi is determined to bring his GOAT mentality to his new home.
With that memorable moment in the rearview mirror, Messi and the rest of the Inter Miami squad hope to crack on with another Leagues Cup group stage match, this one against Atlanta United. Should they emerge victorious, the club would finish the short group stage atop the three-team standings, qualifying for the knockout round in style.
Inter Miami sit last in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, but Leagues Cup success could be parlayed into a second half playoff push. They sit within a realistic shout of a playoff spot — the top nine teams in the conference qualify — but it would take a Herculean effort over the final portion of the season to get back in the mix.
Atlanta United, meanwhile, sit seventh in the East and are squarely in the hunt for a postseason berth. The trip to DRV PNK Stadium will see them match up against their former head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, and ex-forward star Josef Martinez, now both employed by their South Florida opponents.
The Sporting News is following the Inter Miami vs Atlanta United match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
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Inter Miami vs Atlanta United live score
| 1st Half | Goal scorers | |
| Inter Miami | — | — |
| Atlanta United | — | — |
Predicted lineups:
Inter Miami (4-4-1-1, right to left): Callender (GK) — Allen, McVey, Miller, Yedlin — Taylor, Arroyo, Busquets, Robinson — Messi — Martinez.
Atlanta United (3-4-3, right to left): Guzan (GK) — R. Hernandez, Purata, Abram — Lennon, Sosa, Sejdic, Wiley — Etienne, Giakoumakis, Almada.
Inter Miami vs Atlanta United live updates, highlights, commentary
2 hours to kickoff: Lionel Messi has played one match for Inter Miami, and already the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes football team is looking to use his presence to recruit athletes to the city.
Miami 🤝 Messi
(🎨 @MiamiHurricanes) pic.twitter.com/nxgIDj8uYQ
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) July 25, 2023
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Inter Miami vs Atlanta United lineups, team news
Whether Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets will start is a game-time decision, as Tata Martino told media the day prior to the match. “It’s probably that they will play more minutes. If they do, it will change the dynamic of the team, and maybe they will start from the beginning. It’s up to how they feel.”
The match last Friday was dampened slightly by a serious injury to 20-year-old full-back Ian Fray who suffered another ACL tear in his young career, leaving him sidelined for at least the rest of the season and likely longer.
It’s just the latest blow in a season of injuries for Inter Miami, who are without influential midfielders Gregore and Jean Mota due to long-term injuries of their own.
Inter Miami projected starting lineup (4-4-1-1): Callender (GK) — Allen, McVey, Miller, Yedlin — Taylor, Arroyo, Busquets, Robinson — Messi — J. Martinez.
Inter Miami subs (12): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)
Atlanta United are yet to play in Leagues Cup action, but manager Gonzalo Pineda’s side are enjoying a solid campaign in MLS, with Greece international Giorgos Giakoumakis netting 10 league goals so far.
Giakoumakis didn’t start Atlanta United’s last MLS match before the break for Leagues Cup, but he should return here to lead the front line. In-form wing-back Caleb Wiley, who played for the U.S. at the Under-20 World Cup earlier this summer, is one player Inter Miami will need to keep an eye on.
Atlanta United projected starting lineup (3-4-3): Guzan (GK) — R. Hernandez, Purata, Abram — Lennon, Sosa, Sejdic, Wiley — Etienne, Giakoumakis, Almada.
Atlanta United subs (12): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)
MORE: What is Leagues Cup and how does it work?
How to watch Inter Miami vs Atlanta United
The entirety of the Leagues Cup is being streamed on MLS Season Pass which can be found on Apple TV.
With the MLS season past the halfway mark, Apple has slashed the price on subscriptions for MLS Season Pass, with new users able to jump in at 50 percent off for the rest of the year.
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Inter Miami vs Atlanta United betting odds,
Expectations for Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup have been tempered somewhat after the narrow win over Cruz Azul on Friday.
While the club shockingly opened as third-favorites to win the entire competition prior to the tournament kickoff, they’ve seen their odds lengthening somewhat after needing Messi’s late magic to beat the last-place team in Mexico’s Liga MX standings. They’re still favored to beat Atlanta United, but only by a narrow margin.
| Inter Miami win |
Draw | Atlanta Utd win |
Both teams to score Y / N |
Over / Under 2.5 goals |
MIA -0.5 |
ATL +0.5 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) |
+115 | +240 | +180 | -175 / +120 | -155 / +105 | +115 | -160 |