SP. Lionel Messi, Inter Miami Eliminated from MLS Cup Playoffs

Supporters’ Shield winners and regular-season record point holders

Inter Miami CF have been eliminated in Round One of the MLS postseason after a 3-2 loss in Game 3 of a Best-of-Three series against Atlanta United.

Lionel Messi and Co. have been stunned by a resilient Atlanta United squad that gave the Herons headaches all season long.

Miami struck first on the night, thanks a clever finish from a tight angle by Matias Rojas in the 17th minute.

Atlanta responded quickly, however, with striker Jamal Thiaré putting a sweet half-volley past Drake Callender to even the game just over a minute later.

The Five Stripes absolutely stunned the raucous crowd at Chase Stadium when they took the lead in the 21st minute, with Thiaré once again getting in behind the Miami defense and finishing into the top corner for his second tally of the evening.

Messi was not going to let the game slip by without having his say, however, as the Inter Miami captain rose high to head ball past Brad Guzan and tie the game at two goals apiece in the 66th minute of play.

Ten minutes later, Atlanta would find another breakthrough, this time by way of Bartosz Slisz, who finished a beautiful cross by Pedro Amador to give his side the lead with only 15 minutes left to play.

The goal would stand as the winner, as Miami’s offensive weapons could not find a way past a stingey Atlanta defense and its leader, Brad Guza, who put in a legendary performance to see his team through to the next round. The 40-year-old keeper made seven saves to frustrate Messi and Luis Suarez, including this insane feat of athleticism on the goal line in the second half.

Atlanta is set to face Orlando City SC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, after the Lions defeated Charlotte FC by way of a dramatic penalty shootout earlier on Saturday.