2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 7
Inter Miami CF vs. Atlanta United
Inter Miami CF Stadium – Fort Lauderdale
August 26 – 8:00 PM ET
TV: TSN2
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; TSN App in Canada
LOCAL TV: FOX Sports South, MyTV33 (Miami), Univision 23 (Miami)
Coming off important wins that were worth more than just three points, Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United lock horns in a star-studded Week 7 clash at Inter Miami CF Stadium Wednesday night.
Inter Miami celebrated their first-ever MLS win Saturday night, beating rival Orlando City SC to open their new digs, while Atlanta United returned to their winning ways under interim coach Stephen Glass, knocking off Nashville SC for a second time this season.
Looking to see some of the league's top South American talent? Look no further with Inter Miami boasting 20-year-old Argentine forward Julian Carranza and 20-year-old Argentine midfielder Matias Pellegrini, while Atlanta United have 21-year-old Ezequiel Barco and 27-year-old Pity Martinez.
This is also the first time Miami center back Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, another Argentine, meets his former club.
Inter Miami CF
There's been a lot of suffering in the early months of Inter Miami's first MLS season with five one-goal defeats and an early ouster from the MLS is Back Tournament. But they returned to their home base, grew their camaraderie, got comfortable at Inter Miami CF Stadium and got what they feel was deserved Saturday night with a 3-2 win over Orlando City.
Carranza got the start up front and shined with a pair of goals, one set up by Rodolfo Pizarro, who also scored a goal.
"We had been training here in the stadium for a few sessions and we knew the stadium, we knew the field," Carranza said. "We knew how to play without fans, so we were able to focus ourselves. I think we did well today, we made us feel like we were at home. We were strong, and in the end we suffered more than we should have."
- 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
Atlanta United
Pity Martinez has shown flashes of his brilliance during his time at Atlanta United that resulted in his winning the 2018 South American Footballer of the Year award. In his 38th league game Saturday night, the former River Plate standout had arguably his best performance in in Atlanta kit with his first MLS brace in a 2-0 win over Nashville SC.
“I think he was brilliant tonight,” Glass said after the match. “I think the first half was a couple missing pieces that like the whole group there’s a little bit of rust, but his work rate, for me, from start to finish was unbelievable, especially [in the] second half.
“I think if he’s not working he doesn’t score that second goal. But his work rate was phenomenal off the ball, so again that might not be what he’s paid for, but he scored two great goals and worked really, really hard for the team.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Josef Martinez (F) - knee injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Fernando Meza (D) - undisclosed injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Ezequiel Barco (M) - undisclosed injury
- Suspended: Franco Escobar
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup
- This is the first all-time meeting between Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United
Officials
- Referee: Robert Sibiga
- Assistant Referees: Ian McKay, Brooke Mayo
- 4th Official: Natalie Simon
- VAR: Sorin Stoica
