MLS: Team news, broadcast options, preview for Atlanta United vs Inter Miami live on Sept. 16, 2023

Topics: TV Schedules, Atlanta United, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer

The Herons visit the Five Stripes with the goal of maintain their late push to make the final series. Here is everything you need to know about this fixture.

Where can I watch Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami live

The clash between Atlanta United and Inter Miami will only be available to watch in the USA and worldwide via MLS Season Pass, the premier subscription service on Apple TV. If you don't live in the United States, please check if you can stream this match in your country via MLS Season Pass by having a look at our dedicated match page.

Preview

Inter Miami are back in action in the MLS, with Tata Martino's side continuing their late push to make the final series. Messi and Co. lock horns with Atlanta United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday as this 5 p.m. ET showdown could be crucial for the visitors this season.

Of the two teams, Atlanta United are the less desperate side. While the hosts have yet to confirm their spot in the final series, the Fives Stripes appear well on their way to the next round.

However, Gonzalo Pineda's crew cannot rest on their laurels. Atlanta are in sixth with 42 points but the teams that sit in the playoff spots, Montreal and D.C. United, are less than 10 points behind with roughly 6-7 matches left in the regular season.

Additionally, form does not favor the hosts. Thiago Almada and Co. are currently winless in their last two games, drawing 2-2 with Dallas in their most recent outing after losing 2-1 to Eastern Conference leaders Cincinnati.

In both instances, Atlanta United threw away a one-goal lead to drop points, which points to their worryingly poor defensive record. This is not ideal as the opposition have been scintillating in attack since Lionel Messi's arrival and will thus be put to the test.

On the other hand, Inter Miami are fighting an uphill battle to secure progression to the final series. All hope is not yet lost but the Herons have little wiggle room and thus any dropped point in their final few games could hammer the final nail in their coffin.

Fortunately, Tata Martino's men have been nothing short of sensational since a certain Lionel Messi made his debut. The visitors are currently 12 games unbeaten, a run of form that dates back to their 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup in late July, with La Pulga coming off the bench to score the winner with the last kick of the game.

Since then, Inter Miami have gone on to win the Leagues Cup title, the club's first-ever silverware since the MLS franchise was founded in 2018, and have qualified for the US Open Cup final, where they will face Houston Dynamo.

However, the gem in the crown would be qualifying for the final series on the back of signing Messi, Busquets, and Alba. The Supporters' Shield is no longer achievable but Inter Miami fans can still dream of winning the MLS Cup, but to keep that hope alive, Martino's men must make the playoffs at the very least.

The away side have a few games in hand over their rivals and have eight matches left in the regular season. Montreal and D.C. United, who have seven and six games left respectively, sit seven and six points ahead of Messi and Co. respectively.

This means the Leagues Cup champions can move level on points with Wayne Rooney's side if they win their two games in hand. Can Messi inspire the Herons to another brilliant achievement? Do not miss this clash.

Team news

Atlanta United: Machop Chol and Osvaldo Alonso are injured for the hosts while Jamal Thiare has been given time away due to personal reasons. All eyes will be on Thiago Almada, undeniably one of the best players in the MLS this regular season, as he is one assist away from becoming the club's all-time assist provider.

Inter Miami: Question marks linger over Lionel Messi's availability. While the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner did not play in Argentina's 3-0 win over Bolivia in the World Cup qualifiers on Monday, the 36-year-old was on the bench and has been dealing with fatigue. Gregore, Corentin Jean, Franco Negri, and Ian Fray are all injured while Josef Martinez looks set to face his former club despite Leonardo Campana's brace in the Herons' 3-2 win over Sporting KC.

Key Stats

This will be the 12th encounter between these two clubs.
Inter Miami boast the superior head-to-head record, winning five of their previous 11 encounters while losing only three.
These two MLS teams have faced twice this season already, with the Herons winning both encounters — a 2-1 victory in the league and a 4-0 victory in the Leagues Cup.
Atlanta United have never lost three games in a row against this Florida MLS franchise.
The Five Stripes have won their last three home games against Inter Miami in a row, scoring five and conceding only once.
Messi has 16 goal contributions in 11 appearances for his new club, scoring a whopping 11 times and assisting five.
With 43 goals conceded, Atlanta United boast the joint-worst defensive record in the Eastern Conference and the joint second-worst across both conferences.
Thiago Almada has 14 assists in the MLS this season. One more and he will overtake Miguel Almirón and Julian Gressel as the club's outright all-time assist provider.