Anticipation Builds for Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami Sunday Night Soccer Showdown
The world of soccer is bracing for an electrifying encounter between Atlanta United and Inter Miami. This highly anticipated Sunday night soccer event promises a footballing spectacle featuring big names, big money, big crowds, and high ambitions. With memories of past upsets still fresh, fans are eagerly awaiting the rematch from the first round of last year’s MLS Cup playoffs, which saw Atlanta United oust the Supporters’ Shield winners, Inter Miami.
The spotlight shines brightest on one man, Lionel Messi, the Argentinian football maestro who now sports the Inter Miami jersey. His presence has added an extra veneer of excitement to the match, and soccer enthusiasts can catch all the action on Apple TV’s Sunday Night Soccer at 7 tonight.
There’s been much speculation about Messi’s role in the upcoming match. The footballing titan traveled with Inter Miami to Atlanta, but there is uncertainty about whether he will start the match or step off the bench during the crunch Eastern Conference match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. However, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has hinted that Messi is likely to be part of the action.
Mascherano revealed that the club had been cautious with Messi’s game time to prevent potential injury. After a three-game layoff at the start of the month, Messi returned to action last Thursday, making a 30-minute appearance in the second half of their Concacaf Champions Cup game against Jamaica Cavalier FC. Mascherano expressed satisfaction at how well Messi coped with the physical demands of the match and hinted that Messi is in good shape for the forthcoming match.
To watch the Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami match, tune in to Apple TV+ or MLS Season Pass. The match begins at 7 p.m. ET (8 p.m. in Argentina), with the official starting lineup to be announced approximately an hour before kick-off.
Messi’s last performance against Jamaica Cavalier FC was a masterclass, entering in the 53rd minute and scoring a goal in the final minute of the match. His chip shot in front of the goalkeeper in the 92nd minute helped Inter Miami advance past Cavalier 4-0 on aggregate score in the Champions Cup round-of-16 matchup, suggesting that Messi is fully fit and raring to go.
After the Atlanta match, Messi is expected to join the Argentine national team for two matches: Argentina visiting Uruguay on March 21 and hosting Brazil on March 25. Following the international break, Inter Miami will return to MLS action at home on March 29, hosting Philadelphia Union.
The rest of Inter Miami’s schedule is packed, with the team visiting LAFC to play the first leg of their quarterfinal matchup in the Champions Cup on April 2, hosting Toronto FC in a regular-season game on April 6, and then hosting LAFC in the second leg of their Champions Cup matchup on April 9. These thrilling matchups promise an exciting time for soccer fans.