After an exciting home win last weekend, Atlanta United is back on the road in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday evening for a winner-take-all Game 3 in the opening round of the 2024 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. From the outside, all the pressure is on top division Inter Miami CF, who during the regular competition broke the points record. After all, they have one of, if not the, best players of all time: Lionel Messi. The 5-Stripes, meanwhile, have embraced the role of underdog in this series and throughout the final weeks of the regular season. This team has rolled up their sleeves and defied the odds countless times now to get to this point. Now they will look to beat Miami on Saturday and advance to the playoffs with a win, either in regulation or on penalty kicks. Let’s take a look at the Tools to the Match presented by Home Depot vs. Inter Miami CF.

Withstand the early attacks and keep the match close

After forcing Game 3 with an injury-time goal through Xande Silva, Atlanta will look to carry that momentum into this weekend’s deciding match. With the firepower that Miami’s offense possesses, one of the keys to Atlanta’s success will be keeping the game close in the opening minutes. In Game 1, Atlanta only gave up 90 seconds in the game. Fans will expect Miami’s veteran players to come out quickly. The longer the 5-Stripes keep a clean sheet, the more pressure will be on Miami.

The Herons’ backline also looked vulnerable in all the games Atlanta played against them this season. The 5-Stripes have played five games against Miami since Messi joined MLS, scoring thirteen goals in those five games. If they can grow into the game and keep it close early, they should get attacking opportunities.

Protect the box at all costs

Last weekend there was a rare sight at an Inter Miami CF match this season. They scored from outside the penalty area. David Martinez scored the opening goal for Atlanta’s defense from just outside the penalty area. The reason this was a rarity is because nearly 83% of Miami’s goals this season came from the box (68 of 82 to be exact). Martinez’s chip was just the 10th goal from outside the 18-meter area. Atlanta’s defense has done a good job of protecting the box and throwing themselves into passing and shooting lanes. The formation change implemented by interim head coach Rob Valentino allows for five backs and another natural central midfielder on the pitch, and the move has proven to be the right one so far.

If the 5-Stripes can continue to close down the space inside the box and deny passing lines to Messi and Luis Suarez, they will be in a good position to clear the disruption.

F(or) E(very) A(tlantan)….or something like that

The nickname “FEA” has been a mantra and rallying cry for Valentino and his team in recent weeks. While the original interpretation may not be appropriate for this article, the team has indeed rallied and become closer throughout this journey and the results on the field reflect that. Atlanta will need another one of those complete team performances on Saturday night to advance. And while this would be the biggest points setback in MLS Cup Playoff history (Miami outscored Atlanta by 34 points in the regular season), the 5-Stripes own a 3-1-1 (WLT) record against Miami since Messi arrived. A win on Saturday night would send the 17s into a cheering frenzy once again.

Fans can watch the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV Saturday evening at 8:00 PM ET when the action kicks off at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. To hear the action on the radio, tune into Star 94 (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).