The international break felt a lot different this time around in Major League Soccer.
Plenty of players in the league reported for international duty, but few have ever done so after riding the highs Lionel Messi has been hitting recently with Inter Miami.
Despite having to play a match against Sporting KC over the international break without Messi (a 3-2 win), Miami remains unbeaten in 12 games since the Argentine arrived — with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba joining shortly after.
Now Messi and Co. return to MLS play against Atlanta United, with a massive crowd expected at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
In the Leagues Cup in July, Inter cruised to a 4-0 win over Atlanta in a contest where Messi bagged a brace. However, it’s expected to be a much tighter affair in MLS play.
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In fact, in a rare occurrence, Miami is the slight underdog. Atlanta, sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, has a decent shot to become the first team to beat Miami since Messi’s arrival.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami is on 28 points after 26 matches, sitting six points behind D.C. United in the final postseason position.
Here is everything you need to know to catch all the action:
Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami (Major League Soccer)
- When: Saturday, Sept. 15
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
- Channel/streaming: Apple TV
MLS Starting Lineups
Atlanta United possible lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Robinson, Abram, Wiley; Sosa, Sejdic, Wolff, Almada; Giakoumakis, Lobzhanidze
Inter Miami possible lineup:
Callender; Yedlin, Miller, Aviles, Alba; Arroyo, Busquets, Gomez; Taylor, Martinez, Messi
MLS Odds and betting lines
MLS odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Odds were last updated Friday at 1:39 p.m.
Atlanta United (+135) vs. Inter Miami (+150)
Draw: (+300)
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