Mercedes-Benz Stadium- Lionel Messi and Fafa Picault scored a goal each to lead Inter Miami CF to a 2-1 win on the road over Atlanta United. In an intensely played match between two good squads, Miami prevailed with Picault’s last-minute header. Latte Lath scored Atlanta’s lone goal early in the first half.
Starting XI
Rocco Rios-Novo started his first match for the Herons in goal, with Drake Callender surprisingly on the bench. Jordi Alba, Noah Allen, Maxi Falcon, and Gonzalo Lujan composed the backline. Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia, and Yannick Bright the midfield trident. Tadeo Allende, Luis Suarez, and the great Lionel Messi formed the frontline attack. Maxi Falcon was playing his first official MLS match for Miami.
Rocco gets the start at goalkeeper, begging the question, what’s going on with Drake? #InterMiamiCF #MLS #Messi pic.twitter.com/TZeQlSMVTm
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 16, 2025
Match Action
A compact and focused Atlanta United squad came out with great intensity cornering Miami early. Brooks Lennon ran high up the right flank and received a precious pass from Miguel Almiron, Lennon controlled the ball and then sent a pin-point laser to Latteh Lath. Lath elevated to head the ball fabulously past Rocco Rios-Novo to give United the lead 11 minutes into the game.
Brooks Lennon puts a perfect pass to Latte Lath for the header & the Atlanta score… 1-0 the Herons are down early …#MLS #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 16, 2025
Inter Miami did not take long to respond with a Messi solo masterpiece of a goal. He anticipated a ball near the Atlanta box, cut in to see a defender slide by, and then chipped the ball past a charging Brad Guzan.
The GOAT 🐐 steals the ball ⚽️ cuts in seeing a defender slide by & then chips the ball gloriously over Brad Guzan for the score … 1-1#MLS #InterMiamiCF #Messi
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 16, 2025
The teams went into the half knotted up 1-1. The second half was another intense affair between two formidable opponents, with each side nearly taking the lead several times.
It wasn’t until the 90th minute that Flying Fafa Picault headed in the game-winner for Miami. Fafa elevated and floated a perfect header past Brad Guzan to give Inter Miami the 2-1 lead. The Herons came out on top in a highly contested match on the road.
FAFA !!! The Haitian 🇭🇹 Sensation with the header to give #InterMiamiCF the late 2-1 lead…#MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 17, 2025
Postgame
Javier Mascherano was asked about Telasco Segovia’s importance during this early season success for Miami,
In this first stretch of the season, Telasco has helped us a lot. I believe he is very tired at the end of this stretch.
Segovia will likely get a break from the starting rotation and rest. Despite his youth, it’s essential to regulate Telasco’s minutes to not burn him out for the final stretches of the season.
Fafa Picault was asked in the mixed zone what makes this group of Inter Miami players special,
Being a united group, a group where everyone is on the same page.
It’s not a secret that the chemistry of a team is a factor for success. On Inter Miami CF the mix of veteran superstars and young rising stars get along rather well. The veterans are open to handing down their knowledge and experience even if at times it seems like they are yelling at some of the young players during games.
Final Thoughts
Lionel Messi is such an extraordinary player that even at 38 years of age he dominates the game when he’s on the pitch. He’s still the protagonist, scoring goals and dishing assists at an unreal rate. Sunday night’s goal showed all of his quality in one play. Messi served a long pass into space and followed the play all the way close to the Atlanta box. He then anticipated a defender to steal the ball and cut in to see another defender slide by and finish with a brilliant chip over the goalie. Unfortunately, Messi seemed to once again aggravate his adductor injury which could lead to another rest period.
Noah Allen is playing wonderfully as a center-back. His development has astounded many but it must be said that Tata Martino always insisted on Noah as a center-back, and it appears that the old man wasn’t always wrong. He was quite right about Allen.
Maxi Falcon has fit in perfectly with the Herons. The Falcon has added much-needed passion and the right measure of aggressiveness to the Miami backline.
It’s a strong early start to the season for Inter Miami CF, let’s hope the squad can remain healthy for the rest of the season.
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