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Inter Miami CF vs Atlanta United
With just a handful of games remaining in the season it looks like Inter Miami CF is heading to a first place finish in the Eastern Conference obtaining a first round bye week in the playoffs. Miami is also well on their way to winning the supporters shield for best record in the league. Messi would be starting on the bench as the Herons visit Atlanta United. United currently sit in 11th on the outside looking in trying to get some results for one final push.
With about 67,000 fans packed into Mercedes Benz Stadium with probably hope to get a glimpse of Lionel Messi, that wouldn't happen until the second half as his time is being monitored. It was a back and fourth match with Miami drawing first blood from David Ruiz in the 29th minute. A deflection would find Ruiz all alone to fire it into the back of the net for 1-0.
So far this season Miami has been successful when scoring first and hasn't had much push back when doing so. This would not be the case with Atlanta United as historically they've always given Miami problems and tough matches. In the 56th minute it would be Saba Lobjanidze getting a header off going through the legs of Drake Callender to make it 1-1.
Messi would hit the pitch in the 61st minute right after Leonardo Campana got a shot deflected off a free kick to go in giving Miami the 2-1 lead. With the goal, Campana surpasses Gonzalo Higuain to become Miami's all-time goal scorer in its young history. Many believe that he should've been the number one striker option before Luis Suárez.
No goals from Suarez or Messi on the night with Atlanta fighting back with a shot that no goalie could've done anything about. In the 84th minute it was Alexey Miranchuk with a rocket of a shot to the upper corner past a diving Callender to equalize 2-2. The match would hold with this score and both teams would share the points.
Next up for Inter Miami CF is a road match visiting NYCFC at the weekend.
Written by: Daniel Torres
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