Messy team without mesh" Miami loses in 13 games
Miami lost 2-5 to Atlanta United in an away match in the 32nd round of the 2023 MLS at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on the 17th (Korea Standard Time).
Miami, which defeated Atlanta 4-0 in the group match of the 2023 League Cup in July thanks to Messi's multi-goal, was avenged by three points when Messi was absent.
Miami, which sought to rise in the rankings, maintained its 14th place (8 wins, 4 draws and 15 losses).
"Messi and Jordi Alba were absent due to muscle fatigue," Miami coach Gerardo Martino (Argentina) said.
Miami, where Messi was absent, ended its unbeaten streak in 12 consecutive games and suffered its first loss in 13 games.
Miami had 11 wins and one draw from the first match of the 2023 League Cup group stage in July, Messi's debut in the U.S., to the previous match against Kansas City in the 31st round of MLS, and even lifted the League Cup trophy in the process.
Messi scored 11 goals and 5 assists in 11 games to become the center of the "Miami sensation."
Miami also won the previous game against Kansas City without Messi, but lost to Atlanta by exposing its limits.
Miami took the lead first in the 25th minute of the first half when Leonardo Campana shook the net with a left-footed shot in the penalty area of the gate.
However, Atlanta's Tristan Muyumba scored an equalizer in the 36th minute of the second half and Camel Miller's own goal five minutes later allowed the team to turn the game around.
Atlanta Brooks Lennon ran away with an additional goal in the 44th minute of the first half, and Miami followed by one point thanks to Campana's multi-goal, who scored a penalty kick in the 8th minute of the second half.
However, he lost a point to Atlanta Yorgos Yakumakis in the 31st minute of the second half, and just before the end of the game, he even gave up a wedge goal to Tyler Wolf and fell to his knees 2-5.