Match Preview: Atlanta United hosts MLS leaders Inter Miami CF in a midweek meeting

Sometimes the best thing to do after a disappointing result is to get back on the field as quickly as possible, and a midweek game suits Atlanta just fine. On Saturday night, Atlanta United suffered a heavy loss at home to rivals Nashville SC. The team looked lethargic, and interim coach Rob Valentino called the performance “uninspiring.”

That was surprising considering how much time Atlanta had to prepare and what the team had shown in the previous two games. After the Leagues Cup break, Atlanta traveled to the West Coast and kept up with the first-place team in the Western Conference for about 60 minutes until LA Galaxy scored twice. Atlanta followed that game with a strong away win at Bank of America Stadium, knocking out regional rival Charlotte FC. That’s more in line with what Atlanta United will be looking to replicate on Wednesday night.

The last time these two teams met in an MLS match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was in 2023. Atlanta won by an impressive 5-2 scoreline, ending Miami’s 12-game winning streak. This season, Atlanta United and Inter Miami CF faced each other on May 29. The 5-Stripes traveled to Chase Stadium to face the Eastern Conference leaders. Atlanta United won that match 3-1 on the road. Saba Lobjanidze scored his first MLS brace and was named MLS Player of the Matchday.

Lionel Messi played in that game in May and Atlanta United held the world-class star at bay for 62 minutes before he fired a low left-footed shot past Josh Cohen to bring Miami within one goal. But that was about as far as Miami could go as Jamal Thiaré finished off a goal to give Atlanta the three points.

Alexey Miranchuk (Atlanta United) – The Designated Player played his first minutes on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Atlanta United took on Nashville SC. It wasn’t the home debut the attacking midfielder had hoped for, as the team struggled to find pace or rhythm throughout the evening. With Atlanta scoring just one goal in the club’s last three games, Miranchuk will be looking to showcase his quality on Wednesday night and get the attack going in front of the home fans.

Luis Suarez (Inter Miami CF) – He is just one of the world-class names in Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino’s talented squad, but Luis Suárez has enjoyed an exceptional run of form of late. The Uruguayan international has scored five goals in three games for the Herons, including both goals in a 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati on August 24.