ATL Standard

Atlanta United welcomed Inter Miami CF, the first team in MLS to clinch a playoff berth, for an exciting midweek meeting Wednesday night. Alexey Miranchuk, Atlanta's designated player signing during the summer transfer window, scored his first career MLS goal with a long-range shot to save a point for Atlanta United with a 2-2 draw at home against the top team in Major League Soccer.

The match drew the third-largest crowd in MLS history for a midweek game. Despite the result, Atlanta United remains in 10th place with 31 points in the Eastern Conference table, just below the playoff line as they head into their final five matches of the regular season.

“At this point, we need points," said Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan. "We needed three points. We had as many chances as we had, and we should be coming away with three points.”

Miranchuk's goal came at a crucial time when Atlanta United was trailing by one goal and pushing for an equalizer against Inter Miami CF and their superstar Lionel Messi, who entered the match as a second-half substitute. The play unfolded on the right side after a throw-in when Brooks Lennon passed to an unmarked Miranchuk. He took advantage of the space given by Miami and unleashed a left-footed shot into the far corner of the net to level the score at 2-2 in the 84th minute.

"Fantastic finish, right?" Guzan remarked. "There's not many goalkeepers in the world who are going to save that. That's a glimpse of his quality and what he can do with the ball at his feet."

Messi did not start but made his appearance in the 61st minute, intensifying an already charged atmosphere at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The opening minutes saw Atlanta’s backline looking organized with center backs Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams blocking dangerous crosses early on. However, Franco Negri slipped a pass through to David Ruiz in the 29th minute, giving Miami an initial lead.

Saba Lobjanidze equalized for Atlanta in the 56th minute following Dax McCarty's wide switch to Pedro Amador, who crossed it to Lobjanidze for a header goal. Just three minutes later, Inter Miami responded with Leo Campana’s free kick deflecting off Atlanta’s wall into their net.

Atlanta's left side saw strong performances from Saba Lobjanidze and Pedro Amador throughout the night. Lobjanidze contributed significantly both offensively and defensively while Amador provided solid defensive coverage along with attacking support.

Interim head coach Rob Valentino praised Amador's contributions: "Pedro specifically...he's been fantastic these last two games."

In his third appearance for Atlanta United, Miranchuk showed increasing involvement in attacks including setting up key plays and scoring his first MLS goal.

"He's adapting really well," Valentino said of Miranchuk. "He's a fantastic personality; he's a great player...I'm happy we have him."

Atlanta United aimed to bounce back from their recent loss to Nashville SC (2-0). They managed more shots (17 compared to 10) and nearly tripled their expected goals against Inter Miami.

“That’s what I told [the team] at the end there though,” Valentino stated post-match. “That is every day...and then that gets you far.”

With five matches remaining this season, Atlanta will face New York Red Bulls on September 21 followed by Philadelphia Union on September 28 before concluding their home schedule against CF Montréal on October 2 and New York Red Bulls again on October 5.

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