Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami: The Ultimate Showdown Awaits on Sunday Night! | MLSSoccer.com

Big players, hefty transfer fees, vibrant crowds, and towering ambitions—it’s a recipe for spectacle. On Sunday night, the stage is set at the illustrious Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a clash of titans in the latest edition of Sunday Night Soccer, brought to you by Continental Tire (7 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+). This encounter marks the first time these two juggernauts have squared off since Atlanta United executed a stunning upset in the opening round of last year's Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, knocking Inter Miami CF from their championship trajectory far sooner than anyone would have wagered, and leaving the Herons with a bitter aftertaste throughout the winter. ATLUTD are not the same scrappy underdogs from last November. With Ronny Deila now at the helm, their squad has been reinforced with two high-profile Designated Player signings from English football—Miguel Almirón and Emmanuel Latte Lath, whose combined transfer fees reputedly exceed $32 million. The Five Stripes have shifted the narrative; they no longer embrace the underdog tag. Meanwhile, Inter Miami is delicately balancing their domestic commitments with a challenging Concacaf Champions Cup run, which whisked them away to Kingston, Jamaica, this week for the second leg of their Round-of-16 ties against Cavalier FC. Lionel Messi joined the squad for this jaunt after missing the last three fixtures due to what the club has referenced as ‘load management,’ rather than any specific injury—a term that could mean anything in the football world. Thus, all eyes, especially those of the anticipated large crowd at MBS, will be keenly observing whether Messi will grace the pitch in Atlanta. Historically, this fixture serves as a litmus test, even in the early months of the season. Can the revitalised Five Stripes stand toe-to-toe with the established elite of the league? The changes made during the winter transfer window were aimed squarely at achieving this objective. Yet, there is a cloud of uncertainty over Latte Lath’s participation, possibly depriving the revamped frontline of its cutting edge. Regardless, Deila has a talismanic figure in Almirón who understands the significance of this high-profile encounter. After an explosive beginning to the season, Atlanta’s firepower has sputtered in their past two outings, failing to find the back of the net in a disheartening loss to Charlotte FC and a frustrating stalemate against the Red Bulls. Deila has advocated for patience and methodical repetition as he ingrains his tactical philosophy of possessing the ball whilst seeking vertical penetrative play. However, should the team falter again in their execution, the fervent support at MBS might begin to grow restless. On the opposing bench, first-year head coach Javier Mascherano may adopt a pragmatic strategy, aiming to conserve player minutes and avert injuries amidst a grueling schedule and the geographical challenges posed by the Concacaf competition. Should the Herons navigate their fixture against Cavalier successfully, they'll enjoy a brief respite from international commitments before clashing with LAFC in the quarterfinals, which would enable them to refocus on their league aspirations, though the fatigue from extensive travel may still linger. Moreover, half of Miami's squad is composed of youthful exuberance, with numerous players aged 23 or younger—this has worked to their advantage on numerous occasions. Nevertheless, Messi, Suárez, and the rest of their storied lineup surely possess a different perspective. Miami’s high-profile quartet competes with an indomitable spirit and, given their less-than-stellar experiences against ATLUTD last season—where they dropped four out of six points in league play—may be motivated to showcase their capabilities before a packed house. For Atlanta, when can fans expect to witness the best of Alexey Miranchuk? The expectations loom large for a player who commands a significant Designated Player price tag. To date, Miranchuk's production has fallen short of the mark, leading to concerns among the supporters. As a composer of plays, he thrives when connected with runners and a cohesive structure around him. It’s still early in the Deila chapter, but revving up Miranchuk’s playmaking machinery must be on the agenda. Conversely, is Tadeo Allende poised to join the upper echelons of attackers in the league? Inter Miami have a knack for discovering hidden gems within their salary bracket, and Allende appears to be yet another dazzling find, adeptly linking with the Barcelona contingent while displaying individual brilliance—his two goals in just 154 minutes of play being testament to this. Is this merely a fleeting performance or a precursor to a regular stream of decisive contributions? Atlanta United must remain vigilant of Miami’s firepower: Messi (perhaps), Suárez, Alba, Segovia, and Allende. It's a daunting challenge when the Argentine gem from Celta de Vigo continues to craft magic on the field. Even in Latte Lath's potential absence, the Five Stripes boast a wealth of inventive and dynamic options comprising Almirón, Miranchuk, Saba Lobjanidze, Xande Silva, and others. Yet, the conundrum remains—why are the goals proving elusive, and while their expected goals metrics paint a slightly brighter picture, there’s still a growing concern (1.0 against Charlotte FC, 1.8 against RBNY). Journalistic inquiries from Atlanta's dedicated press corps—one of the largest and most passionate throughout MLS—have delved into the tape, illuminating issues with poorly timed runs and a lack of synergy that has stymied their offensive rhythm across the full ninety minutes. The source of frustration arises from spacing intricacies and a sometimes impatience that leads to ill-conceived solo plays, resulting in squandered opportunities. It’s hardly a shock, given the limited time the squad has had to gel and the nuanced balance of developing a buildup while injecting an element of audacity into their play—an ambition Deila is keen to foster. There is one facet where the coaching staff should be able to reinforce clarity without delay. Both Miranchuk and Almirón are astute left-footed creators, a scenario where their overlapping tendencies could lead them to occupy similar positions—a situation that undoubtedly bogs down fluidity. Synchronising their movements while ensuring they occupy distinct areas—being complementary instead of conflicting—while pairing them with enthusiastic runners could unleash much-needed dynamism in their attack. Another player to keep an eye on is left-back Pedro Amador, whose purposeful attacking foray caused chaos for Miami last autumn. After a lengthy injury absence, he returned to complete the full ninety last week, possibly serving as a game-changer come Sunday. For Inter Miami CF, the ever-enlightening Matt Doyle has observed how Mascherano seems to have elevated the potential under his stewardship, evolving their approach from previous seasons. While maintaining their possession-based ethos, Miami are adeptly utilising players like Bright and Cremaschi to press for turnovers—juxtaposing a newfound menace when out of possession which enhances the creative license Suárez, Messi, and Alba enjoy in threading their deadly passes in and around opponents’ defensive zones. The Herons remain a tough proposition to unpick in tactical voids, primarily due to their seasoned veterans… - Resource: "https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/atlanta-united-vs-inter-miami-keys-to-sunday-night-soccer