ATLANTA (September 16, 2023) – Inter Miami CF (8W-15L-4D, 28 points) fell 5-2 on the road against Atlanta United on Saturday evening, with the loss putting an end to the team’s Club-record 12-match unbeaten streak. Forward Leonardo Campana scored both of the team’s goals in the matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the Ecuadorian making history by becoming the second player in Inter Miami history to reach the mark of 20 MLS regular season goals.
“We unfortunately started this race a little behind but we’re not going to abandon it. In the day to day we have ahead of us, we have the goal of making the playoffs,” said head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino.
Inter Miami started the match with three changes to its starting XI from the win over Sporting Kansas City in the team’s previous match. Drake Callender started in goal; captain DeAndre Yedlin, Tomás Avilés, Kamal Miller and Noah Allen made up the back four; Benjamin Cremaschi, Sergio Busquets and Dixon Arroyo lined up in midfield; Facundo Farías and Robbie Robinson flanked striker Campana in attack.
Notably, Inter Miami head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino and forward Josef Martínez returned to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the first time as visitors after their previous successful stints with Atlanta United.
The matchup in Atlanta began with a tight first 20 minutes, with both sides in search of creating danger in attack. Eventually, it was the visitors that struck first, with Campana opening the scoring in the 25th minute with a sensational finish. Arroyo controlled a pass from Farías outside the box on the right side of the pitch before unleashing a powerful long-distance strike that bounced off the post and back into play into the box, where Campana brought the ball down with his chest and skillfully lobbed it over a defender before smashing the ball into the back of the net. The goal was Campana’s eighth this regular season and took his tally to six goals in the past six games across all competitions.
Atlanta, however, was able to turn the proceedings around before the half, with a goal by midfielder Tristan Muyumba in the 36th minute, an own goal in the 41st minute and a goal by defender Brooks Lennon in the 44th minute gave the hosts a 3-1 lead going into the break.
The second half started off with Inter Miami cutting Atlanta’s lead to one after a penalty was called following a handball inside the box. Campana then converted from the spot in the 52nd minute. The goal was Campana’s ninth this regular season, while it also became his 20th overall MLS regular season goal, making history by becoming the second Inter Miami player to reach 20 regular season goals.
Despite Inter Miami’s efforts to find the equalizer throughout the remaining minutes, it was Atlanta that was able to score again, with forwards Giorgos Giakoumakis and Tyler Wolff netting in the 76th and 89th minute for the final 5-2 scoreline.
Inter Miami will now return to South Florida for its next matchup, with the team set to host Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 20.
Scoring Summary:
ATL – Tristan Muyumba (Brooks Lennon) 36’, Kamal Miller (OG) 41’, Brooks Lennon (Caleb Wiley) 44’, Giorgos Giakoumakis (Saba Lobjanidze) 76’, Tyler Wolff (Saba Lobjanidze) 89’
MIA – Leonardo Campana ‘25, Leonardo Campana (PK) 53’
Misconduct Summary:
ATL – Tristan Muyumba (Yellow Card 29’), Luis Abram (Yellow Card 52’)
MIA – Facundo Farías (Yellow Card 57’), Nicolás Stefanelli (Yellow Card 86’)
Lineups / Substitutions:
Atlanta United – GK Brad Guzan; D Caleb Wiley, Luis Abram, Miles Robinson, Brooks Lennon; M Matheus Rossetto (Ajani Fortune 83’), Edwin Mosquera (Saba Lobjanidze 74’), Thiago Almada, Xande Silva (Tyler Wolff 81’); F Giorgos Giakoumakis (Miguel Berry 80’)
Unused Substitutes – GK Quentin Westberg; D Ronald Hernández, Juan José Purata; M, Amar Sejdić, Santiago Sosa
Inter Miami CF – GK Drake Callender; D DeAndre Yedlin ©, Tomás Avilés (Sergii Kryvtsov 83’) , Kamal Miller, Noah Allen; M Sergio Busquets, Dixon Arroyo (David Ruiz 67’), Benjamin Cremaschi (Robbie Robinson 74’); F Facundo Farías, Robert Taylor (Nicolás Stefanelli 67’), Leonardo Campana (Josef Martínez 83’)
Unused Substitutes – GK CJ dos Santos; D Chris McVey; Victor Ulloa; F Edison Azcona,
Details of the Game:
Date: September 16, 2023
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Stats:
Possession:
ATL – 48.5%
MIA – 51.5%
Shots:
ATL – 16
MIA – 10
Saves:
ATL – 1
MIA – 2
Corners:
ATL – 3
MIA – 3
Fouls:
ATL – 9
MIA – 9
###
