MATCH REVIEW: Inter Miami CF defeats Atlanta United 2-1 to take the lead in the first best-of-3 series of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs

Inter Miami CF Earned a valuable 2-1 win over Atlanta United on Friday night, opening the club's third playoff season by taking the lead in the best-of-3 series of the first round of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Goals from striker Luis Suárez and left-back and Royal Caribbean icon of the game Jordi Alba led Inter Miami to victory that evening at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami entered the club's first home playoff game with Drake Callender in goal. Marcelo Weigandt, Tomás Avilés, David Martínez and Alba formed a back four; Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets and Federico Redondo lined up in midfield; Captain Lionel Messi and Diego Gómez flanked Suárez and led the team's attack.

Inter Miami started the game with a lead and scored an early lead through Suárez in the second minute of the game. Gómez and Alba combined on the left before the Paraguayan midfielder found Suárez in the penalty area, who shot first with his right foot at the near post to give the hosts the lead. The goal was Suárez's 21st of the MLS season. The assist, meanwhile, was Gómez's eighth of the MLS season and the second assist increased Alba's tally to 15 assists.

Midfielder Saba Lobjanidze equalized for Atlanta in the 39th minute and went into the break 1-1.

Alba then restored Inter Miami's lead with a stunning strike 15 minutes into the second half. In the 60th minute, the left-back received a ball from Messi at the left end of the pitch before touching it and sending it powerfully with his left foot from a long distance to send the ball into the net. The goal took Alba's tally to five this MLS season, while the assist was Messi's 17th league assist of 2024.

The 2-1 score would remain the same for the rest of the game, meaning Inter Miami would emerge victorious and open the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs with a victory in a game where the team dominated in attack. Inter Miami finished the game with a total of 22 shots, including 11 on goal and two attempts that hit the woodwork, while Atlanta totaled seven shots.

“It was a game where I particularly liked the control we had on the pitch for most of the game. We didn't make many mistakes that would have allowed the enemy to break out into space. We had five clear chances in the first half, one of which went very close to the post. We were patient. I believe that without the performance of Brad (Guzan), the game should have ended with a significant difference,” said head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino.

Next, Inter Miami and Atlanta United will play the second game of the first best-of-3 series of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs next Saturday, November 2nd at 7 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.