Atlanta United will continue its frantic push for a postseason spot when it hosts Inter Miami on Saturday.
Despite sitting second-to-last in the Eastern Conference, Atlanta United (8-15-6, 30 points) is just six points from ninth place. Atlanta United’s quest to stay alive in the playoff race got easier with Wednesday’s win over Montreal, but they will likely need to be close to perfect down the stretch to have any chance at the postseason.
“We knew this game on the schedule was the one with the most risk,” Atlanta coach Tata Martino said. “That’s why we regret not having picked up points earlier in the previous matches. But we know this will be a different game.”
Atlanta hasn’t beaten the Herons in its last three attempts, but it forced a last-minute road draw against Inter Miami in early September. With key attacking players such as Breel Embolo (two goals), Miguel Almiron (six goals), and Aleksey Miranchuk (six goals) set to feature on Saturday, Atlanta could give a favored Miami side trouble.
Atlanta faces an Inter Miami (14-5-10, 52 points) side that has virtually nothing to play for. Inter Miami wrapped up postseason qualification with their 2-0 victory over New York City FC on Wednesday. However, Nashville SC, which leads Inter Miami by 14 points, has all but won the Supporters’ Shield.
Inter Miami has lost only one of their last eight games, led by the attacking firepower of Lionel Messi (23 goals, 14 assists), Luis Suarez (15 goals), and Rodrigo De Paul (14 assists). However, the Herons have conceded the sixth-most goals in their conference, and they’ve proven vulnerable defending against counter-attacks.
“In terms of team building, we need to have that defense solidify so that what we naturally have going forward can develop,” Inter Miami manager Kily Gonzalez said. “First, I want to defend well so that we can attack even better, but with a lot of balance.”
Gonzalez, who joined Inter Miami a little over a month ago after former manager Javier Mascherano’s departure, also said that the Herons couldn’t grow complacent toward the tail end of the season despite clinching qualification.
“We have an obligation to play well,” Gonzalez said. “We have to try to overcome the opponent through our play, because we have technically gifted players. From there, we need to defend the ball better and know when to be direct and when not.”
–Field Level Media
