MLS
Where is Messi’s Inter Miami in the MLS standings after the defeat against Atlanta?
The Florida team failed to pick up at least a point for the first time since the arrival of its new stars and left Mercedes-Benz Stadium beaten.
Despite the Lionel Messi led revolution, Inter Miami is confronted with a challenging task to secure a place in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The team, led by ‘Tata’ Martino, found itself at the bottom of the table just a few weeks ago when the championship resumed, but the upturn in performances, results and overall optimism were hit after the unbeaten run was finally ended against Atlanta United.
The Georgia-based team inflicted a heavy defeat, the match ending 5-2 in a highly entertaining encounter where the absence of Messi and Jordi Alba took its toll on the visiting side. Consequently, Miami’s unbeaten streak comes to an end, along with a decent opportunity to climb up the standings.
How Inter Miami sit in Eastern Conference standings
Miami remain in fourteenth position for another matchday, meaning they are second to last in their conference, and seven points adrift of the playoff spots, although they have played one or two fewer games than some of those above them.
This further elevates the level of challenge facing a team with a demanding schedule, filled with matches that, starting from today, are akin to individual finals. And amidst all the current challenges posed by the MLS, Messi has the chance to add more silverware to his burgeoning home display, with the team’s second final of the season on 27 September, where they will face Houston Dynamo in pursuit of claiming the US Open Cup.
Eastern Conference table
| # | Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cincinnati | 28 | 58 |
| 2 | Orlando City | 28 | 50 |
| 3 | New England Revolution | 28 | 48 |
| 4 | Philadelphia Union | 27 | 47 |
| 5 | Columbus Crew | 28 | 45 |
| 6 | Atlanta United | 29 | 45 |
| 7 | Nashville S.C. | 27 | 40 |
| 8 | C.F. Montreal | 28 | 36 |
| 9 | D.C. United | 29 | 35 |
| 10 | Chicago Fire | 28 | 33 |
| 11 | Charlotte | 27 | 32 |
| 12 | New York City | 29 | 31 |
| 13 | New York Red Bulls | 28 | 30 |
| 14 | Inter Miami | 27 | 28 |
| 15 | Toronto | 28 | 22 |
What are Inter Miami’s upcoming games?
September
16th: Atlanta United - Inter Miami (17:00 ET)
21st: Inter Miami - Toronto F.C. (19:30 ET)
25th: Orlando City - Inter Miami (19:30 ET)
27th: Inter Miami - Houston Dynamo (20:30 ET) | US Open Cup Final
October
1st: Inter Miami - New York City (19:30 ET)
5th: Chicago Fire - Inter Miami (20:30 ET)
8th: Inter Miami - FC Cincinnati (19:30 ET)
More than one Messi at Inter Miami
In other Messi news, there are now three Messis playing with Inter Miami, and the eldest Thiago made his debut on Thursday night in a 2-0 win for the Under-12s.