Atlanta United fell in Game 1 of the Round One Best-of-3 series at Inter Miami CF 2-1 Friday night at Chase Stadium. Saba Lobjanidze scored his first career playoff goal and his 10th this year across the regular season and the playoffs. Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan made eight saves, setting a new club playoff record. In the three matches Atlanta has played this past week, Guzan has made 22 saves.
Miami opened the scoring in the second minute through Luis Suárez. After Miami won the ball in the attacking third, Jordi Alba played the ball from the left wing to Diego Gomez inside the box. Gomez took a quick touch and laid the ball off to Suárez, who drilled a low shot past Guzan.
Guzan made a key save in the 26th minute, stopping a powerful shot from Lionel Messi from the edge of the box. Atlanta’s captain came up big again in the 29th minute as Miami continued to put pressure on Atlanta’s goal, this time denying Messi from close range. After the Argentine received the ball inside the box on the right side, he hit a left-footed shot off the near post that bounced to Marcelo Weigandt. The right back fired a shot that tested the keeper again but parried it away.
Atlanta leveled the match in the 39th minute through Lobjanidze. Pedro Amador received the ball on the left wing in the attacking third, dribbled inside and picked out a clever pass with the outside of his left foot to Lobjanidze inside the box. The Georgian winger struck his first time finish to the far post for his team-leading 10th goal of the season and fourth against Miami. Amador recorded an assist for the third consecutive game, increasing his total to six on the season.
Jamal Thiaré had an opportunity to put the visitors ahead in first-half stoppage time after he made a run between Miami’s center backs and received the ball in on goal, however his shot attempt went wide.
After having to make two substitutions for injuries to Brooks Lennon and Stian Gregersen in the first half, Rob Valentino made two more changes to start the second half, bringing on Tristan Muyumba and Xande Silva for Alexey Miranchuk and Jay Fortune.
Guzan made another crucial save in the 56th minute, this time coming off his line to block a shot from Gomez after he was played into the box by Messi. A couple minutes later, Miami scored its second goal of the night off a set piece. Messi played a corner to Alba about 30 yards out from goal. The left back took a touch to settle the ball and hit a driven shot into the right corner for the 2-1 lead.
Atlanta United will host Inter Miami CF at home for Game 2 in the best-of-three series. The game is set for Saturday, Nov. 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 7:00 p.m. ET (MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor Radio).
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of ATL UTD