2024-11-10 05:51:00
Argentine soccer world champion Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were surprisingly eliminated in the first playoff round of the North American MLS. The team from Florida lost the decisive third game in Fort Lauderdale against Atlanta United 2:3 (1:2) on Saturday evening (local time). Miami won the first game 2-1 and lost the second game at Atlanta United 2-1.
Miami took the lead through Matías Rojas (17th), but Jamal Thiaré turned the game around for Atlanta with two goals in the first half (19th, 21st). The eight-time world footballer Messi was able to equalize again in the second half with a header (65th), but Bartosz Slisz’s header in the 76th minute to make it 3-2 was the winning goal. Brad Guzan in goal for Atlanta secured the victory with spectacular saves. Messi hit the wall of Atlanta players with two free kicks in the final minutes. Atlanta meets Orlando City.
Miami set a league record with 74 points in the main round. Atlanta, on the other hand, only managed 40 points and only slipped into the playoffs after qualifying against CF Montreal. Miami is the financially strongest team in MLS Miami. Former German international Marco Reus has already made it through with Los Angeles Galaxy.
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**Interview with Soccer Analyst Julia Ramirez**
**Interviewer:** Julia, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s early elimination from the MLS playoffs was unexpected, especially considering their record-breaking season. What do you think went wrong for the team?
**Julia Ramirez:** It’s a perfect storm of factors. Despite their incredible regular-season performance with 74 points, playoff soccer is a different beast. The tactics, intensity, and pressure are amplified. Miami seemed to struggle under that pressure, particularly defensively. The quick turnaround in that playoff series was brutal, and Atlanta capitalized on their chances.
**Interviewer:** Messi managed to score in that decisive game, but it wasn’t enough. How do you assess his performance and impact on the team’s overall playoff outcome?
**Julia Ramirez:** Messi is undeniably a game-changer; he proved that with his equalizer. However, soccer is a team sport. While he can create magic individually, he needs cohesive support from his teammates, which at times seemed lacking. There were moments where the team relied too heavily on him instead of executing their collective game plan.
**Interviewer:** Given the financial investment in Miami and their star-studded roster, do you think this early exit will lead to significant changes in the team for next season?
**Julia Ramirez:** It’s likely. In professional sports, especially with the amount of money involved, expectations are sky-high. The ownership will want results, and that often translates to roster changes, coaching adjustments, or even shifts in strategy. Fans will be watching closely to see how management responds to this setback.
**Interviewer:** With Atlanta moving on to face Orlando City, do you think there’s a chance for them to make a deep playoff run despite their lower point total?
**Julia Ramirez:** Absolutely. Playoff success is not solely determined by the regular-season performance. Atlanta has momentum now, and if they can harness that, they could surprise a lot of people. Their victory over Miami proves that they can compete with anyone when it counts.
**Interviewer:** what’s your take on the discourse around Messi and his tenure in the MLS? Some fans are divided on whether he’s delivered on the hype.
**Julia Ramirez:** Messi’s presence undoubtedly elevated the league’s profile and captivated fans, but performance is subjective. Critics may focus on the playoffs, while supporters will celebrate his regular-season brilliance. It creates an interesting debate: should we judge him solely on championships or also on the broader impact he’s had in growing soccer in America? I’d love to hear what our readers think—has Messi lived up to the hype despite this loss, or should we expect more from a player of his caliber?
