That of Lionel Messi first MLS playoffs started with gigantic momentum and expectations. They finished Saturday with a stunning upset and a GOAT moan.
Messi and Inter Miami, the historical seedcrashed out in the first round with a second straight loss to Atlanta United – who barely qualified for the playoffs with a losing record and negative goal differential.
Messi, who had remained silent during the second game defeat, scored his first goal of the playoffs to level this decisive third game at 2-2. But Atlanta responded; Bartosz Slisz regained the lead with a header in the 76th minute; and the visitors sent shockwaves through American football with a 3-2 victory.
Miami entered these playoffs as the clearest favorite in MLS history. They waltzed to a victory in the first game of a three-game series and seemed assured of advancing. All they had to do was win one of two against an Atlanta team that had triumphed in less than a third of its regular season games – just 10 of 34.
But then, in Game 2, the Herons went silent in Atlanta.
Their 2-1 loss set up a third “do or die” match, Messi’s first in MLS.
Or at least that’s how English speakers described it. In Spanish there is a similar but different expression. “It’s a game of kill or be killed.” » Inter Miami midfielder Federico Redondo said this week. Not “do or die”, but rather “kill or die”.
And, in a stunning twist Saturday, it was Atlanta that committed the murder.
The No. 9 seed, who won a play-off match on penalties, weathered an early storm in Miami at Chase Stadium. Then, immediately after an opening goal from Matias Rojas, Atlanta’s Jamal Thiare punished some lax defense. He scored twice in three minutes and the underdog led 2-1 at halftime.
In the second half, Messi rose to meet the moment, temporarily.
But Atlanta responded.
And at the other end of the field, goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 40, made heroic saves. He snatched a point-blank header from Jordi Alba. He frustrated Luis Suarez and Messi. He made six saves in total.
Messi smashed two free kicks into the walls of Atlanta and collapsed in frustration.
And Miami’s title hopes are dead.
Their defeat is also a massive loss for MLS, whose playoffs have now lost much of their luster.
This doesn’t invalidate the best regular season in league history. “We celebrated this achievement, because it was something difficult and important,” Messi said in a recent interview. “But,” he admitted, “we are aware that the real title we want is the MLS (Cup).”
Now he may only have a year left to pursue it.
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Atlanta leads 2-1 at halftime
This would obviously be astonishing.
But “would be” is always the key word. Miami trailed in the majority of its MLS games during the regular season. They still broke the points record.
They will surely create plenty of chances to equalize in the second half.
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