Looking at Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami this season

There were two MLS teams that Inter Miami faced twice during the regular season and didn’t beat: Atlanta United, which it went 0-1-1 against, and NYCFC, which it went 0-0-2 against.

Atlanta United and Inter Miami will meet in a best-of-three playoff series that starts Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Atlanta United defeated Inter Miami 3-1 on May 29 at Chase Stadium. Saba Lobjanidze scored twice. Jamal Thiare added the final. Lionel Messi scored for Miami.

Atlanta United may have surprised Gerardo Martino by switching formations from the 4-3-3 his team typically used to a 3-4-3. Atlanta United was all over the Herons from the opening whistle, taking 26 shots, putting eight on goal, and creating 22 chances.

“We were missing one more gear compared to Atlanta, and that was evident in the first half and during the second half,” Martino said after the match. “It was a night where the team regressed compared to other games. I think we were very well outmatched, and they beat us well.”

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The teams met again Sept. 18 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and they played to a 2-2 draw. Lobjanidze scored again. Alexey Miranchuk tied the score at 2-2 with his first goal. Ruiz and Campana scored for Miami. Atlanta United took 17 shots to Miami’s 12. Atlanta United created 12 chances to Miami’s nine.

“We had so many chances in front of goals tonight, we’ve just got to be a little bit more clinical,” Brooks Lennon said after the match.

Atlanta United followed that draw by going 2-1-2 in next five matches. Miami went 3-0-2 in its next five to finish 22-4-8 and set a new league record for points in a season.

“Everyone knows Miami and the league and how talented they are and what kind of players they have, but I think we’ve got that underdog mentality, and I think we’ve got heart right now, so I’m excited,” Lennon said after Tuesday’s win against Montreal in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

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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