Former Atalanta linchpin Aleksey Miranchuk opened his Atlanta United account with an absolute beauty

Atlanta United bulldozed their way back from a goal down to held Inter Miami CF to a mouthwatering 2-2 draw at the Mercedes Benz StadiumIn their latest MLS action, A Western Conference showdown between two teams enduring contrasts in fortune. Runaway leaders Inter Miami are 10 points clear at the summit of the conference and on a five-match winning streak, while 10th-place Atlanta United have lost two of their last three games and could be out of the playoffs if they don't gather some form in the next run of games. 

Rob Valentino made two changes from Atlanta's 2-0 defeat by Nashville last time out. Both changes were from midfield, with Max McCarty and Tristan Muyumba coming into the starting XI. Ajani Fortune was dropped to the bench, while Xande Silva missed out altogether. Meanwhile, his opposite number, Gerardo Martino of Inter Miami, made eight changes from their victory over Philadelphia Union, with Callender, Weigandt and Gressel the only players to survive the cut. Messi and Suarez were forced to settle for places on the bench alongside their former Barcelona team-mate Alba. Another - Sergio Busquets - missed out through suspension, as did Tomas Aviles.   

 Even though the form book favouring the visitors, it is worth noting that Atlanta United prevailed in their last two meetings with Miami, including a 3-1 victory at Chase Stadium in May. 

The first shot of the game came in the 14th minute when Julian Gressel looked to catch out Brad Guzan napping at his near post with a fierce right-footed drive, but the Atlanta goalkeeper produced a brilliant reflex save to deny him. Two minutes later, Atlanta united, trying to impose themselves on the game with Saba Lobjanidze leading Atlanta's charge on the counter, neatly turning Taylor inside and out. He clipped a deep ball to the far post, where Alexey Miranchuk headed the ball into the six-yard box, but Miami defender Ian Fray booted clear comfortably.  

David Ruiz sent the travelling supporters into frenzy in the 29th minute with an easy tap home from 12 yards. Franco Negri scurried forward from left-back and was trying to pick a pass, but his through ball ricocheted off McCarty before breaking kindly for Ruiz. The 20-year-old had space and time to turn before he opened his body up and calmly slid the ball past Guzan. No Messi, no Suarez, no problem for Miami. Ruiz opened his account for the season, though you would not know that was his maiden strike given how he took the opportunity with such aplomb. 

In the 33rd minute, Atlanta United took charge, responded immediately and forced a corner. Miranchuk stepped inside and worked the space he had to shoot with his left foot, but the stubborn Miami defence blocked his effort to keep the game at 1-0. It was Atlanta again knocking at Miami’s door two minutes before the half time interval. Miranchuk lofted a through ball to release Brook Lennon, who was unmarked out wide. He charged deep into Miami territory and tried to pick out Rios in the box, but Fray anticipated the situation well and did just about enough to block the attempted cross. 

The half ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors, who have won all 11 of their previous MLS matches this season when leading at half-time and are unbeaten in their last 28 such games. Bob Valentino ruffled the feathers of his players in the lockeroom, and they came out spritely in the second half in search of the equalizing goal. The hosts, out of nowhere, restored parity in the 56th minute. Pedro Amador whipped in a cross tailored to perfection, which was met by the inform Lobjanidze, whose header took a slight deflection and slid through Drake Callender's butter fingers. 

Before the smoke could clear and the jubilant supporters of the Five Stripes could find their seats Inter Miami crawled their way back ahead. The visitors went straight down the throat of the Atlanta defence and were awarded a free kick just outside the box following a clumsy tackle by Derrick Williams. Leonardo Campana stepped up, and his drilled shot took a wicked deflection off McCarty, who completely wrongfooted Guzan, who could only wave at the ball in despair on its way into the net.  

Edwin Mosquera, who was introduced to the game in the 62nd minute, got a glorious opportunity in the 64th minute to etch his name in the folklore of Atlanta United's history book but fluffed his chance. Mosquera was sent through on his bike with a telling pass from Miranchuk, but Callender brilliantly handled his ferocious strike to deny him. The hosts maintained the pressure, and Rios met a subsequent cross from Saba, but Callender held on. 

end-to-endAs the game trickled on in a ding-dong end to end battle, the game has finally lived up to its billing, serving up a sumptuous mid-week treat for the fans on both teams. In the 83rd minute, Miami went for the third goal that would surely knock the wind out of Atlanta United’s sail, but captain fantastic Brad Guzan pushed Messi's shot from a tight angle straight into the path of Suarez. Still, Amador brilliantly denied the latter. 

A minute later, the new boy in town let the victors pay for their uncanny mistakes of not punishing them by spectacularly levelling the score. Lennon gave the ball to Miranchuk who then danced across the edge of the 18-yard box like John Travolta in Dirty Dancing before unleashing an excellent strike into Callender's top-right corner. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium went wild! 

With their tails in their backs like a pony on a summer day, the host in search of the go-ahead goal was denied by the woodwork. Lobjanidze feinted past his marker before he pulled the trigger from a tight angle. His shot took a deflection before crashing against the upright. As the game grinded to a halt, one not short of excitement saw the last two chances go to both teams. The first one went to Inter Miami as Messi neatly skipped away from a couple of challenges inside the box but was eventually stopped by the Atlanta stout defence. The ball broke for Redondo, but his shot went high and wide over the bar in the crowd. Atlanta United pushed for a dramatic winner as Lobjanidze cut inside from the left and was looking to curl one in for the winner, but his shot was inches wide of the upright. The spectators stormed out as the players dropped to their knees as referee Rosendo Mendoza signalled the end of play.  

Inter Miami CF sits clear at the MLS summit with just five games remaining and needs nine more points to secure the 2024 Supporters' Shield. They have New York City FC before hosting Charlotte at home. On the contrary, Atlanta United, which has a slim chance of making the playoffs, will travel away to New York Red Bulls before taking on Philadelphia Union on the road.