Inter Miami CF scored all the goals they needed in the first 11 minutes of the match, beating Atlanta United 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night.
This was definitely a first half you didn't want to be late for, with three goals coming in rapid succession. The first goal happened less than two minutes in, with Juan Agudelo finishing a break that Brek Shea initiated with a long upfield pass. In the fifth minute, Atlanta answered with Jon Gallagher rocketing in a shot after an assist from George Bello. With barely a breath able to be taken, Shea continued the hectic start to the game in the 11th minute. Lewis Morgan got a quick deep-field throw-in to Rodolfo Pizarro, who made a couple of touches and found Shea for a headed goal from the six.
Despite plenty of action in the resulting minutes, including some near-goals on both sides of the field, the first half finished 2-1. It was momentarily 3-1 thanks to an apparent Victor Ulloa goal where he chopped in a loose ball, but he was ruled offside via VAR, and the home side were only in a one-goal hole at halftime.
The frenetic pace continued to let off in the second half. Atlanta United sub Erick Torres had a nice 69th-minute chance at an equalizer, but Miami goalkeeper Luis Robles was able to smother the attempt and keep the lead. That's as close at Atlanta got to changing the trajectory of the match.
Goals
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Last week, a Nashville SC win allowed one 2020 expansion team to leap Atlanta in the standings. Tonight, it happened with the other 2020 expansion team. This is now six matches without a win for Atlanta, and they've won just once in 10 matches. For Miami, it's a big win and their first-ever in MLS on the road. Once they can work blockbuster new signing Gonzalo Higuain into the lineup, they could be a dangerous playoff team.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It ultimately turned out to be the Shea goal. Had the result been different, the disallowed goal just before halftime might have been pivotal. But as it turned out, Miami didn't need a third goal.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Shea gets the nod here. His initiative led to the first goal, he got the game-winning second goal and put himself in a good spot for a second-half insurance goal he couldn't quite convert on.
Next Up
- ATL: Wednesday, September 23 at FC Dallas (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
- MIA: Wednesday, September 23 vs. New York Red Bulls (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
