Tools for the game: How Atlanta United wins decisive Game 3 against Inter Miami CF

After a thrilling home win last weekend, Atlanta United is back in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night to fight for victory in Game 3 of the opening round of the 2024 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. From outside, all the pressure is on leaders Inter Miami CF, who broke the points record in the regular season. After all, in Lionel Messi they have one of the best players of all time, if not the best. The 5-Stripes have now assumed the role of underdogs in this series and in the final weeks of the regular season. This team has now rolled up its sleeves and defied all odds on multiple occasions to get to this point. Now they will try to beat Miami on Saturday and advance to the playoffs with a win, either in regulation play or the shootout. Let's take a look at the tools to the match that Home Depot presented against Inter Miami CF.

Survive the early attacks and keep the game close

After forcing Game 3 with an injury-time goal from Xande Silva, Atlanta will look to carry that momentum into this weekend's deciding game. Given the firepower Miami's offense has, one of the keys to Atlanta's success will be keeping the game close in the opening minutes. In Game 1, Atlanta conceded a goal just 90 seconds into the game. Fans will expect Miami's experienced players to come out quickly. The longer the 5-Stripes go without conceding a goal, the greater the pressure will be on Miami.

The Herons' defensive line also looked vulnerable in each of the games Atlanta played against them this season. The 5-Stripes have played five games against Miami since Messi joined MLS, scoring 13 goals in those five games. If they can grow into the game and keep it tight from the start, they should get chances on offense.

Be sure to protect the box

This past weekend saw a rare sight at an Inter Miami CF game this season. They scored from outside the penalty area. David Martinez parried the Atlanta defense just outside the penalty area to score the lead. The reason it was a rarity is because nearly 83% of Miami's goals this season have come from inside the box (68 of 82 to be exact). Martinez's chip was only the 10th goal outside the 18-yard area. Atlanta's defense did a good job of protecting the box and getting into passing and shooting lanes. The formation change made by interim coach Rob Valentino allows for a back five and another natural central midfielder to be on the pitch, and this move has proven to be the right one so far.

If the 5-Stripes can continue to reduce space in the penalty area and deny Messi and Luis Suarez passing lanes, they will be in a good position to pull off an upset.

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 did indeed come together and become closer together during this period and the results on the field reflected this. Atlanta will need another one of those complete team performances on Saturday night to advance. And while it would be the biggest upset in MLS Cup playoff history in terms of points (Miami was 34 points better than Atlanta in the regular season), the 5-Stripes have a record of 3-1-1 since Messi's arrival (WLT) against Miami. A win on Saturday evening would once again send the 17ers into a frenzy of celebration.

Fans can tune in to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. ET as the action begins at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. To hear the action on the radio, tune in to Star 94 (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).