Atlanta United looking forward to the challenge that’s Inter Miami

The MLS playoff series between Atlanta United and Inter Miami would seem to be a mismatch.

For example, Inter Miami set a points record, and Atlanta United needed to win its final match and have two other results go in its favor just to make the postseason.

But after Atlanta United defeated Montreal in penalty kicks Tuesday, it advanced out of the wild-card round and will play top-seeded Inter Miami in the first game of a best-of-three series Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

It’s been a slog for Atlanta United, which faced pressure in each of its final nine matches just to have a chance on Decision Day to make the playoffs, but those tests may help it now.

“I’ve been playing it as a (knockout for the) last three or four weeks,” Atlanta United centerback Derrick Williams said Thursday. “You still have to go there get a result.”

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One of those nine matches was against Inter Miami. The teams drew 2-2 because Alexey Miranchuk hit a wonder-strike late in the match to halve the points.

It was the second time this season that Atlanta United thwarted Inter Miami. The first came when it defeated Lionel Messi’s team 3-1 in Florida.

The matches were very different, so it’s difficult to take anything from either or both in trying to analyze what may happen in the series.

In the first, Atlanta United played with a back five and was able to attack Inter Miami on the counter. Because Inter Miami likes to have the ball, and likes to get forward, it is susceptible to attacks.

In the second, Atlanta United played with a back four. Messi didn’t start like he did in the first meeting, but did come off the bench. The last 10 minutes were a back-and-forth parade of chances created and shots by both teams.

“The formula probably changes every game because they’ve got players that can play in different positions,” interim manager Rob Valentino said. “They’ve got a really deep squad. So even the game here was a little bit different than the game was in Miami, the circumstances will be a little bit different, for sure, no matter who plays for them. But there’s no perfect formula.”

ExploreInfo to know: Atlanta United at Miami in MLS playoffs

One thing that Atlanta United did well in those two meetings, and something it’s doing much better in its ongoing three-match win streak than most other times during the season, is stay focused.

In wins against the New York Red Bulls, Orlando and Montreal, Atlanta United players had only one noticeable lapse in concentration. Orlando took advantage to score its only goal in a 2-1 loss.

Considering they are facing a Miami team that finished with 79 points, has Messi, Luis Suarez, Diego Gomez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, staying focused again will be key.

“Just have to be on top of your game,” Williams said. “Sometimes that’s not enough, but all you can do is really just give it your all. These are the games you want to play. I want to always wanted to play against the best. I think every single one of us look forward to that challenge, and no one shies away from it.”

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in U.S. Open Cup