Inter Miami vs Atlanta United live score, result, updates, stats of Lionel Messi in MLS match

They meet an Atlanta United team that expected to challenge for an MLS title but has disappointed so far. They sit 12th in the East with just 13 points from 14 matches, without a league win in more than two months, an 11-game run dating back to a 3-0 win over the 10-man Chicago Fire on March 31. Forwards Thiago Almada and Georgios Giakoumakis have sapped the team of its firepower, with just five goals in its last six games.

The Sporting News is tracking the Inter Miami vs Atlanta United match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Inter Miami vs Atlanta United live score

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
Location: Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)
Referee: to be determined

Starting lineups (planned):

Inter Miami (4-3-3, right to left): Callender (GK) – Weigandt, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Alba – Gressel, Busquets, Cremaschi – Messi, Suarez, Rojas.

Atlanta United (4-2-3-1, right to left): Cohen (GK) — Lennon, Abram, Gregersen, R. Hernandez — Slisz, Muyumba — Lobzhanidze, Almada, Wiley — Rios.

Inter Miami vs Atlanta United live updates, highlights and commentary

2 hours before kick-off: Tata Martino’s handling of Lionel Messi has often been cavalier, leading to injuries for the 36-year-old, but recently he has taken a much more pragmatic approach. The club has been wary of his availability for every game, as his presence on the pitch – or lack thereof – forces teams to completely change the way they approach Inter Miami off the ball.

Over the weekend, Inter Miami was so silent about Messi’s presence on the team that it forced Vancouver to issue a club statement confirming that he, Suarez and Busquets did not make the trip. A club confirming a opposing player would not participate in a match is certainly new!

NEWS | Vancouver Whitecaps FC release an official statement regarding the upcoming match against Inter Miami CF this Saturday, May 25 at BC Place. #VWFC | #VANvMIA

– Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) May 23, 2024

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United pre-match stats, facts and figures

• Lionel Messi made two consecutive scoreless starts for the first time in his career at Inter Miami. Yet the Herons have only lost one MLS Championship game when Messi starts, coming back in the final game of the 2023 regular season against Charlotte FC, a match that was competitively meaningless for Inter Miami.
• After conceding 20 goals in 15 matches this season, Inter Miami are on track to concede 45 goals in the entire 34-match season. That would be nine fewer than they conceded in 2023, when they allowed the second-most goals in the Eastern Conference. However, that would also be more than all but two of the top four teams in each conference allowed in 2023.
• Georgios Giakoumakis is a threat on the pitch; his five goals in 688 minutes this season gives him a goal every 137.6 minutes, and he has a goal contribution every 86 minutes. Last season, Giakoumakis scored a goal every 105.4 minutes in the MLS regular season. The problem is his availability: Since joining Atlanta United, he has played only eight full 90-minute regular season games, after playing just 53% of his team’s regular season minutes.

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United Lineups, Team News

While Inter Miami has largely overcome its injury crisis from earlier this season, it suffered a major blow last time out as a new defensive signing. Nicolas Freire fell with a torn ACL right knee and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. It’s a huge setback for the team to lose a player whose addition allowed the club to improve significantly on defense this year. He becomes the second Inter Miami player to suffer a torn ACL this year after Facundo Farias fell in preseason.

This elevates aging Serhiy Kryvtsov return to a starting role, and Ian Fray is back on the pitch from his third career ACL tear just in time. Fray’s return could push back the rear Noah Allen back in a central position where he was tested throughout the preseason.

Federico Redondo could return from his knee injury for this match, and if not, Tata Martino “guarantees” the midfielder will be back for the next match against Atlanta United. Diego Gomezhowever, will miss “a few more weeks” due to his ankle injury, and was not at training yesterday.

Inter Miami projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Callender (GK) – Weigandt, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Alba – Gressel, Busquets, Cremaschi – Messi, Suarez, Rojas.

Inter Miami substitutes (9): (Lineups are published one hour before kick-off)

Atlanta United’s two offensive stars, Georgios Giakoumakis And Thiago Almada have both suffered from injuries in recent times. Giakoumakis suffered a concussion two weeks ago and has been missing since, while Almada is missing with a calf injury.

The club have been cautious about his availability, so this will be something to watch as the game approaches. Almada is expected to be ready to go after coming off the bench this weekend, but Giakoumakis is doubtful amid reports of a possible exit this summer. Defender Noah Cobb will also miss time with an ankle injury.

Goalie Brad Guzan I will feel the pressure after saving Josh Cohen kept a clean sheet against Charleston Battery in the US Open Cup last week, then made a key save to win the penalty shootout. Cohen will get another chance here with Guzan suspended due to a straight red card last time out against LAFC.

Atlanta United’s projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Cohen (GK) — Lennon, Abram, Gregersen, R. Hernandez — Slisz, Muyumba — Lobzhanidze, Almada, Wiley — Rios.

Atlanta United substitutions (9): (Lineups are published one hour before kick-off)

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United

This match is accessible exclusively on the MLS Season Pass from Apple TV. The game was not planned as one of the free weekly broadcasts, so it can only be viewed with a subscription.

The price of a single-season MLS Season Pass membership has been reduced to $69, a 30% reduction from the original price of $99 to reflect the portion of the season already played. For those who already subscribe to Apple TV+, the price is now $59 for the season, a 25% discount from the original price of $79.