Inter Miami’s 2024 Major League Soccer playoff run ended in a stunning first-round defeat, as they lost 3-2 to Atlanta United in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference series. Despite a second-half equalizer from Lionel Messi, Miami couldn’t stop Atlanta, who secured the win with a 76th-minute header from Bartosz Slisz. The match saw Miami struggle defensively, with their pleas for referee intervention going unheard when defender Tomás Avilés went down injured during Atlanta’s winning goal.
Inter Miami, boasting stars such as Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, entered the playoffs as the top seed after a record-breaking season. However, the game exposed significant gaps in their defense and left the team visibly frustrated, especially after appeals for a penalty and offside call were dismissed. Miami’s early exit from the playoffs marked another disappointing chapter in the club’s history, as they have never advanced past the first round of the MLS playoffs.
The defeat also continued a troubling trend in the MLS, where top-seeded teams have struggled to capture the MLS Cup. In the last 22 seasons, only four top-seeded teams have gone on to win the title. Despite their offensive firepower, including a league-leading 79 goals scored during the season, Miami’s playoff hopes were dashed once again.
Messi celebrating his earlier equalizer against Atlanta – Getty image[/figure]
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