Short-Handed Atlanta United Falls 4-0 to Inter Miami CF in Final Road Match

Atlanta United fell 4-0 to Inter Miami CF Saturday night at Chase Stadium in its final road match of the 2025 MLS season. Homegrown midfielder Cooper Sanchez earned his first career MLS start, while defender Sal Mazzaferro made his MLS debut. The Five Stripes entered the match significantly short-handed, missing 12 First Team players, including seven away on international duty during the FIFA break.

In the 17th minute, head coach Ronny Deila was forced to make an early change after defender Stian Gregersen exited with an injury. Mazzaferro came on to make his first MLS appearance. Minutes later, goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert came up with a massive stop to deny Lionel Messi and keep the match level. Sergio Busquets lofted a ball over Atlanta’s backline to Messi, who controlled it cleanly and broke in on goal, but Hibbert rushed off his line to make a clutch save with his left hand.

Miami eventually broke through in the 39th minute. Baltasar Rodriguez dispossessed Atlanta outside the box and found Messi cutting in from the right side. The Argentine took two touches before curling a left-footed shot into the top corner to put the hosts ahead 1-0.

The home side added two more goals early in the second half to extend the lead. Jordi Alba doubled Miami’s advantage in the 52nd minute, and Luis Suárez added a third nine minutes later with a right-footed volley into the top corner.

Deila introduced forwards Cayman Togashi and Patrick Weah—who made his First Team debut—to inject fresh energy into the attack. However, Messi sealed the result in the 87th minute with his second goal of the night.

“I think in the first half we were into the game, but we shouldn’t give [Lionel] Messi that goal. We lost the ball in the center of the pitch instead of playing wide. Before, we talked about playing more direct because we have two strikers that can hold the ball, but we started to play more sideways. We gave them that.”said Head Coach Ronny Deila.

Atlanta United (5-16-12, 27 points) returns home for its 2025 regular-season finale on Saturday, Oct. 18, when it hosts D.C. United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (6:00 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor).