Inter Miami's Historic 2024 Season Ends in Heartbreak as Atlanta United Clinches Playoff Victory...
- Inter Miami’s 2024 MLS campaign, which included a record-breaking 74 points and a Supporters’ Shield win, came to an unexpected and dramatic halt in the first round of the playoffs. Despite high expectations, the Herons were stunned by Atlanta United, who advanced with a 3-2 win in Game 3 of their Best-of-3 series, after an early Miami lead and a second-half equalizer from Messi.
- The decisive moment came in the 76th minute, when Bartosz Slisz scored a controversial goal following an incident where Atlanta’s Pedro Amador played on despite an injury to Miami’s Tomás Avilés. Miami had expected the game to be stopped, but with no whistle, Amador found Slisz for the match-winner, raising questions about the fairness of the decision.
- Miami’s early exit from the playoffs raises concerns about the team’s defensive vulnerabilities and their inability to capitalize on key moments in big matches. With Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino leading the charge, the team’s star-studded roster failed to deliver in crucial playoff moments, leaving the future uncertain for a squad with aging veterans.
Miami’s Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign comes to a shocking halt in the playoffs after a 3-2 loss to Atlanta United
Rojas and Messi Score, But Thiaré’s Brace and Slisz’s Late Goal Seal Atlanta’s Victory
Inter Miami’s historic 2024 MLS season ended in disappointment as they were eliminated from the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs with a 3-2 defeat to Atlanta United in the decisive Game 3 of their Best-of-3 Round One series. After taking a 1-0 lead early in the match, the Herons couldn’t hold on as Atlanta responded with two quick goals and a controversial late strike to secure the upset.
Miami, fresh off their Supporters’ Shield triumph with a record-breaking 74 points, opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Matías Rojas. A swift counterattack saw Jordi Alba find Diego Gómez, whose shot was saved by Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Rojas was quick to react to the rebound, slotting the ball home to give Miami the early advantage. This was Rojas' fifth goal of the season and ninth across all competitions in 2024.
However, Atlanta quickly answered with two goals in a two-minute span. Jamal Thiaré struck twice in the 19th and 21st minutes, turning the game around and giving the visitors a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Messi’s Header Levels the Score, but Slisz Clinches Atlanta’s Win
Miami came out strong in the second half, and in the 65th minute, Lionel Messi found the equalizer with a powerful header. The play started with Messi himself, as he linked up with Luis Suárez and Gabriel Weigandt before the right-back delivered a cross into the box for Messi to finish. It was Messi’s 21st goal of the season and 23rd across all competitions, with Weigandt and Suárez providing the assists.
But just when Miami seemed to have regained momentum, Atlanta United struck again. In the 76th minute, Bartosz Slisz put the finishing touch on a controversial play. Pedro Amador, who had assisted Atlanta’s earlier goals, kept the ball in play despite Tomás Avilés being injured and Miami expecting the game to be stopped. Without a whistle, Amador found Slisz, who scored to make it 3-2.
Inter Miami’s Historic Season Ends in Disappointment
Despite a season full of milestones, including winning the Supporters’ Shield and setting an MLS record with 74 points, Miami’s playoff hopes were dashed early. Messi and fellow veterans Luis Suárez and Gerardo 'Tata' Martino had led the team to new heights, but Atlanta’s late-game resilience and the controversial goal left Inter Miami on the wrong side of a stunning defeat.
The loss brings an abrupt end to a season that promised so much. Having been MLS Cup favorites with the league’s most star-studded roster, the defeat to an Atlanta United side that had sacked its head coach midway through the season and barely scraped into the playoffs was a shocking turn of events.
Offseason Questions and Future Outlook
As Miami reflects on the loss, questions will likely be asked about the team's defensive vulnerabilities and the inability to close out the match. The Herons had the firepower to win it all, but their inability to capitalize on their playoff chances will leave a bitter taste for their supporters. With Messi, Suárez, and other key players not getting any younger, time could be running out for Miami’s star-studded roster to capture the elusive MLS Cup.
Looking ahead, the team will have to regroup and look for upgrades, particularly in defense, to build a more balanced squad for 2025. With the parity of MLS growing each season, Inter Miami’s next challenge will be to turn their season of records into silverware. The 2024 season may be remembered for its historic achievements, but it ultimately ends in disappointment.
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