2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 9
Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami CF
Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta
September 2 – 7:00 PM ET
TV: FS1
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada
Atlanta United and Inter Miami CF will look to quickly rebound after disappointing Week 8 defeats when the star-studded sides square off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Wednesday night.
The Five Stripes are coming off their first loss to rival Orlando City SC, while Inter Miami fell to fellow expansion side Nashville SC in the first meeting between the sides.
The teams were scheduled to meet last Wednesday at Inter Miami CF Stadium, but it was one of five matches postponed with players joining other professional athletes in continued support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Atlanta United
It was bound to happen sometime, but that doesn't lessen the pain from a rivalry defeat to Orlando City SC, especially at home on Saturday. The Five Stripes were hesitant coming out, while the Lions roared out of the gate and caused problems with a high press and struck twice before halftime. Brooks Lennon pulled the hosts back a goal, his first for Atlanta, but Nani closed the match out with the insurance goal three minutes later.
“It’s tough. These type of things mean a lot to this club," Lennon said. "Losing to a team you haven’t lost to before in franchise history. It’s really tough. Guys are really disappointed in the locker room right now but [interim coach Stephen Glass] came in and told us we have another game on Wednesday against a good Miami side coming in at home so we just need to put this one behind us and focus on trying to win that game.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Josef Martinez (F) - ACL injury
- OUT: Fernando Meza (D) - knee injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Ezequiel Barco (M) - lower body injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Emerson Hyndman (M) - lower body injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Inter Miami CF
A week removed from a historic victory over Orlando City SC, Inter Miami suffered a disappointing defeat in a first meeting with Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium Sunday night. The defeat wasn't without a tinge of controversy, with a penalty shout for a handball late in the first half when Matias Pellegrini looked to have a clear sight of goal as the ball broke to him toward the center of the penalty area before Walker Zimmerman threw himself in front of the ball to block the shot. No PK was awarded, adding to a frustrating night overall in Music City.
“We had 18 shots against five by [Nashville] playing on the road," Miami coach Diego Alonso said. "That’s without taking into account the countless crosses that we delivered,” said manager Diego Alonso. “That speaks of the dominance we had on the pitch and the number of opportunities that we had.”
Attacking help may be arriving from Italy with the club reportedly in advanced conversations with Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: George Acosta (M) - left knee injury
- OUT: David Norman Jr (M) - left ankle injury
- OUT: Denso Ulysse (D) - left lower leg injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Atlanta United
- This is the first all-time meeting between Atlanta United and Inter Miami CF
Officials
- Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr
- Assistant Referees: Nick Uranga, Gjovalin Bori
- 4th Official: Sergii Demianchuk
- VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.
