Player Ratings for Atlanta United 3-1 win over Inter Miami
A brace from Saba Lobzhanidze was enough to end Inter Miami’s 10-game winning streak and to put a spanner in the gog of the Five Stripes 9-game winless streak. Jamal Thiare scored the third goal in the 3-1 route, which marked the 400th goal scored in the history of Atlanta United. The win was also the 5-Stripe's 100th win in the regular season. Lionel Messi got Inter Miami’s consolation goal with a sublime strike from outside the box. That 3-1 defeat was the first time Messi had lost a match he had scored in since Argentina's loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup. At the club level, it was the first time Messi lost a game he scored in since losing to Celta Vigo while playing for Barcelona in 2021.
How the game unfolded
Coach Gonzalo Pineda went for the juggler against a strong Inter Miami team, firing on all cylinders all season. Pineda switched the formation up and went for a 3-4-3 in attack and a 5-3-2 in defense, which worked perfectly. The Five Stripes started the game like a house on fire,’ knowing it was a must-win game to edge closer to the playoff pack. They were aggressive and showed little respect to the Florida base team.
Despite being the first to settle down, the home team came the closest to scoring in the opening stages. Messi quickly got by McCarty in midfield, drawing Abram and Williams towards him before shifting play to Gressel. The midfielder pulled it back for Suarez, who pulled the trigger the first time, forcing the goalkeeper, Cohen, to dive across his line to make the stop. The referee eventually blew his whistle for a delayed offside in the build-up, as Cohen shrugged his shoulders in a sigh of relief.
In the 44th minute, the visitors hit Inter Miami on the counter, with Aviles and Kryvtsov allowing Lobjanidze too much space in the middle of the pitch. He took his opportunity graciously as it was presented to him. The forward shaped his body and curled an impeccable strike past the outstretched arm of Callender into the top corner for a 1-0 lead.
Thiago Almeda held up play brilliantly in the 59th minute, turning with incredible poise to evade his fellow Argentine Weigandt and a sliding Sergio Busquets before playing a lovely switch of play out to the right for Brook Lennon. The wing-back unselfishly played it further forward for Lobjanidze, who cut inside, putting the ball onto his favored left foot before curling another sublime finish past Callender for a 2-0 lead.
Three minutes later, Atlanta United lifted their foot off the pedal a little, giving Messi far too much space and time. The Argentine Wizard picked up a Busquets’ square pass with a delicate first touch to set himself up for a shot, dragging his left-footed effort across the face of the goal and into the bottom-left corner of the goal, leaving the hapless Cohen clutching at thin air.
Atlanta United restored their two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute through a wonderfully worked move. Caleb Wiley attacked the space with guile and trickery in midfield before finding an open Almada. The Argentina international left Aviles spinning like a Ferris wheel before going by him to slip through a pass to the byline for Wiley. The wing-back delivered a perfect back-post cross to the lunging Thiare, who tucked it home for a 3-1 lead.
On the cusp of full-time, Wiley found Mosquera somehow unmarked inside the penalty area, with the striker getting by Kryvstov with a lovely touch before drawing Callender off his line. He looked like he put the ball into the net from an acute angle, but he got his finish wrong, sending it behind at the far post.
Atlanta United player ratings ( 3-4-3 )
GK – Josh Cohen: 6.5/10
Filling in for the suspended Brad Guzan, Cohen made 4 Brillant saves but could not keep a clean.
CB – Luis Abram: 7/10
Coordinated well with Williams and Gregersen and had some decent moments in the backline, which helped to keep Messi and Suarez quiet.
CB – Derrick Williams: 7/10
Strong in the air, showed composure under attack, and was exceptional in-ground duels against Suarez.
CB - Stian Gregerson: 7/10
Very stout in defense, winning all tackles made, one block, and eight clearances. He made 36 touches and had a 90 percent passing rate for his 90 minutes.
RM– Brook Lennon: 7/10
He worked tirelessly up and down the right-hand side of the pitch and did well in attack. His decisive pass to Saba created the second goal and earned him an assist.
RM – Caleb Wiley: 8.5/10
He was recently invited to the USMNT for the Olympics game 2024. The youngster justified his selection with some marauding runs, which caused Weigandt many problems while keeping Gressel quiet. His well-weighted pass set Jamal up for the third goal.
CM – Dax McCarty: 8/10
The veteran had a solid performance, a few tidy moments on the ball, and helped connect the defense to the frontline. He was substituted in the 83rd minute to save his legs.
CM – Tristan Muyumba: 8.5/10
Arguably Atlanta's second-best player, did his part with an assist to give the Five Stripes a chance. His skill and mesmerizing runs kept Inter Miami’s backline on their toes.
RW – Thiago Almada: 8/10
He had another excellent afternoon. He completed the most dribble for the game and should have gotten his name on the score sheet.
ST – Jamal Thiare: 8.5/10
The most fouled player in the match. A hard worker who got a lot of service from the midfielders and wingers. He was happy to be among the goals.
LW – Saba Lobzhanidze: 9/10
The soon-to-be father was the man of the match with a brace. Atlanta's most threatening player wasn't far away from scoring an absolute beauty for his hat-trick.
Substitutes
SUB: Noah Cobb (74th for Williams) - 6/10 -
He could only do a little on the rare occasions he was in possession.
SUB: Edwin Mosquera (74th for Saba) - 7/10 -
He provided an immediate impact by driving at the Inter-Miami defense and missed two golden opportunities.
SUB: Ajani Fortune N/A
SUB: Georgios Giakoumakis N/A
SUB: Ronald Hernandez N/A
Manager
Gonzalo Pineda - 9/10 -
There won't be too many disagreements about his team selection and his change in formation. Atlanta looked within themselves for the entire game, the best they have looked all season away from home.