Inter Miami vs Atlanta United

Major League Soccer high-flyers Inter Miami entertain out-of-form Atlanta United at Chase Stadium.

Goals on either side of halftime saw Inter Miami topple Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 on the road last time out, proving they can win without all-star forwards Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Inter’s formidable unbeaten MLS run now stands at ten matches (W7, D3) since a 4-0 demolition at New York Red Bulls in late March. Two points clear of 2nd-placed FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference, the Herons are on course to reach the playoffs for the first time. The impending home return can only add to Gerardo Martino’s optimism, with his star-studded crop racking up three consecutive MLS wins in Fort Lauderdale by an aggregate score of 10-3.

On the other hand, Los Angeles FC’s narrow 1-0 win at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the previous round poured more pressure on Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda, plunging the visitors into further crisis. Not since a 3-0 rout of Chicago Fire in March have Pineda’s men posted an MLS victory (D4, L5), resulting in their drop down the standings. Now stuck in 12th, five points below 9th-placed DC United, Atlanta must stem the bleeding and return to the win column to avoid the risk of losing further ground on the playoff spots. However, they’ve traveled poorly this season, failing to claim a win in all six away league games (D3, L3) while only scoring twice!