Atlanta United pulled off a historic shocker Saturday night, taking down top-seeded Inter Miami CF in a thrilling 3-2 victory at Chase Stadium in Game 3 of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One. With grit, determination, and a touch of magic, the 9-seed 5-Stripes eliminated the Supporters’ Shield winners, defying all odds and etching their names into MLS history.
Atlanta’s win—its second in the Best-of-3 series—earns them a ticket to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they’ll face off against 4-seed Orlando City SC, who triumphed over Charlotte FC earlier that night.
For Inter Miami, a team touted by many as a sure bet for the title, the defeat is nothing short of a seismic upset. Miami entered the playoffs 34 points ahead of Atlanta, making this the largest upset in MLS Cup Playoff history in terms of point differential. It’s a victory for Atlanta’s record books and one that MLS fans won’t soon forget.
“The last couple of weeks, there’s something special in the group,” said captain Brad Guzan. “There’s belief, confidence, and a desire to help the group. That’s what got us here tonight.”
The action was electric from the get-go, with three goals flying in within six minutes of the first half: an early strike from Miami, followed by back-to-back goals from Atlanta’s Jamal Thiaré. Bartosz Slisz completed the upset, heading in the game-winner in the 76th minute to send Atlanta United into the next round.
Interim head coach Rob Valentino summed it up perfectly: “They’ve got some internal belief right now.”
