Bolavip got to ask Martino about the possibility of a reunion in Atlanta following his team’s 2-0 loss to Columbus Crew on Sunday.

“The truth is that I have a lot of affection for the group we worked with in Atlanta during 2017-18. Probably every player from that era who’s still active is something to watch, to pay attention to,” Martino responded to Bolavip during his postgame media availability.

“We haven’t sat down with the front office yet to know in which situation we find ourselves in. It’s a position where we already have Emmanuel Latte Lath as DP, we have other strikers in Cayman (Togashi) and Sergio Santos, and I also use Aleksei Miranchuk as striker,” added Martino, who left the door open for Martinez despite Atlanta’s current situation.

“Therefore, it’s a position that is already crowded with players, and today I shouldn’t have a positive answer. But well, I won’t rule it out because Josef is a natural-born goalscorer. He’s a player I know well and he’s active in an important league like the Mexican league.“

Josef Martinez reportedly hitting free agency

Earlier in the week, Felipe Cardenas of The Athletic reported that the Venezuelan striker has mutually parted ways with Liga MX side Club Tijuana, adding that Martinez would welcome a return to MLS.

Martinez, who turned 33 on May 19, has recorded only one goal in 9 appearances (one start) since moving to Mexico in January. That may explain why he could become a free agent during the upcoming World Cup break.

Martino, Atlanta have great memories of Josef Martinez

The Venezuelan’s connection with Martino and Atlanta may matter more than his recent numbers. Martinez played an instrumental role in the team’s 2018 MLS Cup win under Tata, winning both MLS MVP and Golden Boot with 35 goals in 38 games.

Martinez left an indelible mark in Atlanta, ending a five-year stint in 2022 with 111 goals in 158 appearances. He stayed in MLS, playing for Inter Miami (2023), CF Montreal (2024), and San Jose Earthquakes (2025) before trying his luck in Liga MX, but none of those teams saw him at his best like Atlanta did. Now it could be a good moment for one last dance.

How to watch Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United in the USA

Fans in the United States will have several ways to follow this high-profile matchup live, with full coverage available across both traditional broadcast and digital platforms from kickoff through the final whistle.

For streaming access, viewers can tune in through the CBS Sports Golazo Network, Paramount+, and Amazon Prime Video, all offering live coverage of the match.

Can I watch Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United for free?

Fans in the United States can watch the full match live on Amazon Prime Video, which is currently offering a 30-day free trial for new eligible subscribers.

With this limited-time access, viewers can stream all the action at no cost upfront, giving them the opportunity to enjoy the game live before choosing whether to continue with a paid membership plan.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The US Open Cup quarterfinals bring added urgency as rivals Orlando City SC and Atlanta United meet in a matchup that carries significant weight for two MLS sides still searching for consistency this season.

Orlando City enter with 14 points, sitting just three points shy of the Play-In positions, while Atlanta United trails with 11 points and a six-point gap to the same cutoff, leaving both clubs under pressure to find form in knockout competition.

The timing only adds intrigue after the two sides played to a 1-1 draw last Saturday, a result that underscores how evenly matched they’ve been and sets the stage for another tightly contested battle where momentum, not standings, could prove decisive.

Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United: Predicted Lineups

Orlando City SC (3-4-3): Maxime Crépeau, David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Adrián Marín, Griffin Dorsey, Braian Ojeda, Eduard Atuesta, Iván Angulo, Marco Pašalić, Martín Ojeda, Justin Ellis.

Atlanta United (4-3-3): Lucas Hoyos, Tomas Jacob, Enea Mihaj, Juan Berrocal, Elias Baez, Tristan Muyumba, Will Reilly, Ajani Fortune, Saba Lobjanidze, Aleksey Miranchuk, Matias Galarza.

What time is the Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United match?

The match kicks off today, May 19, at 7:30 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 7:30 PM
Central Time: 6:30 PM
Mountain Time: 5:30 PM
Pacific Time: 4:30 PM

“Atlanta United today announced it has named Gerardo “Tata” Martino as the club’s head coach and signed the Argentine to a contract through the 2027 MLS season,” Atlanta United announced in an official statement.

This will mark Martino’s second tenure as head coach of Atlanta United, having been the franchise’s inaugural manager. During that time, the Argentine coach directed 68 matches, led the clubs to their first playoff appearance, and captured the MLS Cup in 2018, securing the earliest championship for an expansion team since 1998.

“I want to thank Arthur and Chris for the opportunity to return to the club and a city where we hold wonderful memories and maintain great relationships,” Martino said, via an official report from Atlanta United.

“This is a different project than my first stint with the club, however with great ownership and the collaboration of the players, coaching staff and everyone at the club, our objective will always be to form a winning team that makes our fans feel proud and well-represented every time that they go to Mercedes-Benz Stadium,” he added.

Under Martino’s command, Atlanta United established several records: 124 points, 140 goals, and a +56 goal differential across his two seasons. They also became only the second team in MLS history to surpass 70 goals in consecutive campaigns. His highly successful run with the clubs earned him the Coach of the Year award in 2018.

Martino’s history with Inter Miami

Following a period managing the Mexican National Team, Martino was hired by Inter Miami in 2023 to coach Lionel Messi again, having previously managed the star at Barcelona and with the Argentine National Team.

Martino became the manager who won Inter Miami’s first two titles, when they secured the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, setting the record for the most points in a single MLS campaign with 74 units and scoring 79 goals, the highest figure in the league.

Messi’s brace broke another MLS record, making him the first player in league history to record nine multi-goal matches in a single season. He scored twice in each of these performances, with five of the nine games coming consecutively.

The list of players achieving multiple-goal matches also includes MLS stars such as former LA Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had eight in 2019, Stern John with Columbus Crew in 1998, and Mamadou Diallo with Tampa Bay in 2000.

Messi scored 26 goals in 27 league appearances while contributing 18 assists, totaling 44 goal involvements—almost double the number of matches played. His dominance at this stage of his career is remarkable, highlighting his focus as he continues to prepare for the World Cup.

Why Messi was able to play with Inter Miami

Messi’s availability against Atlanta had been uncertain after he was named to Argentina’s latest squad. He did not participate in the friendly against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium and avoided travel outside Florida after Argentina’s clash with Puerto Rico was moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale. This allowed him to link up with his club side.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano commented on securing Messi’s release for MLS duty: “Before the match, I talked to Scaloni, and he said he was not going to use him, that he would sit him down. I spoke to Leo to see if he could play. It was his decision, and clearly he saw the opportunity that if he wasn’t going to play against Venezuela, we could use him. Leo, of course, was ready to do it.”

“He is a very special player, an icon, and even though he didn’t train with us last week, we saw what he did. He helped us to win and managed to score. That was important for him,” Mascherano added. Messi’s presence went beyond mere participation, providing a significant impact that boosted the team’s performance against Atlanta.

Messi had been rested by Argentina as Miami prepared for the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs. The forward spent the week training with his national team but returned to play for Inter Miami despite limited time on the pitch with his club teammates.

Ultimately, Messi featured in the match and also contributed an assist, tying him with San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer for the league lead in assists. His impact was immediate and decisive, showing why he is still considered a central figure in MLS.

Messi’s brace against Atlanta pushed his total to 26 goals in MLS, extending his lead in the Golden Boot race. He now sits two goals ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and is favored to defend his Most Valuable Player crown. If successful, Messi would become the first player in league history to win back-to-back MVP awards.

The record Messi broke with his brace against Atlanta

The Barcelona legend set another MLS milestone with his two-goal performance against Atlanta, becoming the first MLS player to record nine multi-goal matches in a single season. Five of those nine performances came consecutively, underscoring Messi’s consistent brilliance.

Messi has now scored 26 goals in 27 league appearances and contributed 18 assists. As the postseason approaches, Miami will look to Messi to deliver more moments of magic, with his latest outing ensuring his name is firmly in the record books.

Other players who share Messi’s mark

Former LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic achieved eight multi-goal matches in 2019, while Stern John recorded the same feat for Columbus Crew in 1998. Mamadou Diallo also matched the mark with Tampa Bay in 2000, placing Messi in elite company as he continues to redefine excellence in MLS.

Inter Miami are no longer in contention for the Supporters’ Shield, which went to the Philadelphia Union this season after the Herons lifted it last year. However, Javier Mascherano’s side is determined to finish as high as possible in the standings to secure home-field advantage in most of their playoff games.

That’s why this match carried major importance for Inter Miami — and it’s also the reason Argentina’s coaching staff decided to leave Messi out of the friendly against Venezuela, allowing him to stay with his club for this crucial game.

With Messi on the field, it was always going to be tough to keep him off the scoresheet. After a ball recovery by Baltasar Rodriguez, the midfielder found his compatriot with a smart pass, and Messi fired a brilliant left-footed strike inside the box — leaving Jayden Hibbert with no chance to make the save.

But that wouldn’t be all from Messi on the night. With just four minutes left on the clock, Jordi Alba delivered a brilliant assist — reminiscent of their Barcelona days — allowing Messi to control the ball and fire home Inter Miami’s fourth and final goal.

With this win, Inter Miami draw level with FC Cincinnati for second place on 62 points but hold a superior goal difference with one game remaining in the regular season.

Messi chasing back-to-back MVP honors

Inter Miami’s captain is putting together a spectacular MLS season. With his latest goal, he now stands alone atop the league’s scoring chart with 26 goals—two ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga. As if that weren’t enough, he also ranks second in assists with 17, just one behind Anders Dreyer’s 18.

Thanks to Inter Miami’s strong campaign, Messi has emerged as a leading contender for the league’s MVP award. If he wins, he would become the first player in MLS history to claim the honor in back-to-back seasons.

Although the former Barcelona star was called up by Lionel Scaloni for Argentina’s international friendlies in the United States on October 10 and 14, Lionel Messi will start tonight against Atlanta United.

The Inter Miami captain trained all week with the national team in Miami, but Scaloni chose to rest him for the friendly against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium. That decision fueled speculation about Messi’s availability for Inter Miami’s upcoming match.

A few days earlier, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano addressed the topic during a press conference, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding Messi’s status.

“If he doesn’t play against Venezuela and there’s a chance he can play on Saturday, I’d love that. Imagine having Lionel Messi available. But the reality is that he hasn’t trained with us all week,” Mascherano said.

Lionel Messi’s impressive 2025 season

Inter Miami’s captain is having his best campaign since joining the Florida club. Messi currently shares the lead in the MLS Golden Boot race with Denis Bouanga, both sitting at 24 goals, and ranks second in assists with 17—just one behind Anders Dreyer’s 18.

The Argentine star is also a top contender for the league’s MVP award. If he wins, he would become the only player in MLS history to earn the honor in back-to-back seasons.

Although Inter Miami fell short of winning a second consecutive Supporters’ Shield—this year claimed by the Philadelphia Union—the team has delivered strong results throughout the regular season and remains in contention with FC Cincinnati for second place in the Eastern Conference.

[Watch Pumas UNAM vs Atlanta United live in the USA on Apple TV]

Pumas UNAM head into their second Leagues Cup match with two points after salvaging a draw in regulation and pulling off a penalty shootout win against Orlando City—a gritty result that offered some relief after a tough debut.

They’ll now look to build on that momentum against an Atlanta United side under pressure following a 3-1 loss to Necaxa. Atlanta may not be the favorites, but with everything on the line, their desperation could turn them into a dangerous challenge.

When will the Pumas UNAM vs Atlanta United match be played?

Pumas UNAM will take on Atlanta United this Saturday, August 2, in a Matchday 2 showdown of the 2025 Leagues Cup league stage, with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 PM (ET).

Pumas UNAM vs Atlanta United: Time by State in the USA

ET: 9:00 PM
CT: 8:00 PM
MT: 7:00 PM
PT: 6:00 PM

How to watch Pumas UNAM vs Atlanta United in the USA

Tune in to MLS League Pass on Apple TV to catch the 2025 Leagues Cup showdown between Pumas UNAM and Atlanta United in the USA.

[Watch Atlanta United vs Inter Miami live in the USA on Apple TV]

Fresh off a 2-0 victory that secured their spot in the next round, Inter Miami are shifting focus back to the Eastern Conference race, aiming to climb to the top. Standing in their way are Atlanta United, the team that knocked them out in the first round of the 2024 MLS season.

While Atlanta have struggled early, collecting just four points from a possible nine, they remain determined to disrupt Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s momentum and walk away with a crucial win.

When will the Atlanta United vs Inter Miami match be played?

Atlanta United will face Inter Miami this Sunday, March 16, in the Matchday 4 of the 2025 MLS season, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM (ET).

Atlanta United vs Inter Miami: Time by State in the USA

ET: 7:00 PM

CT: 6:00 PM

MT: 5:00 PM

PT: 4:00 PM

How to watch Atlanta United vs Inter Miami in the USA

Tune in to MLS League Pass on Apple TV to catch the 2025 MLS regular season showdown between Atlanta United and Inter Miami, live in the USA.

Inter Miami visit the Mercedes Benz Stadium for their clash with Atlanta United for Matchday 4 of the 2025 MLS season. After a great performance against Cavalier SC for the Concacaf Champions Cup, Lionel Messi is confirmed to play tonight.

Javier Mascherano, Miami’s head coach, said on Saturday morning that the plan was for Messi to travel to Atlanta. “The plan was for him to play 30 to 35 minutes in Jamaica so he could feel good again, and it went well,” Mascherano told the press.

Messi is coming off from a muscle strain that kept him out of three games. However, the Argentine star came off the bench at the 53-minute mark during the second leg match against Cavalier to score the 2-0 for Miami, and close the series with a 4-0 aggregate win.

Thanks to the victory, Miami advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament, in which they will face Los Angeles FC in April. However, first, Messi will join Argentina’s national team for matches against Uruguay and Brazil in the World Cup qualifiers.

Even without Messi’s absence in some matches, Miami is in second place in the Eastern Conference with two wins, no losses, and a tie (seven points). Meanwhile, Atlanta, who eliminated Miami in the first round of the Playoffs last season, is in 11th place with four points.

Inter Miami’s confirmed lineup vs Atlanta

Marcelo Weigandt (hamstring) and David Ruiz (leg injury) were the only players absent from Saturday’s training, while Robert Taylor (hamstring) trained separately. Drake Callender will travel with the team after recovering from an adductor injury. Oscar Ustari is serving a red card suspension Sunday night, with Rocco Rios Novo will start.

Miami’s confirmed lineup is: Rocco Rios Novo; Gonzalo Lujan, Maxi Falcon, Noah Allen, Jordi Alba; Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets, Tadeo Allende; Telasco Segovia, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez.

[Watch Atlanta United vs CF Montreal live in the USA on Apple TV]

A new MLS season starts, and among the title contenders are Atlanta United, who are coming off a surprising 2024 campaign. Despite finishing ninth, they made a run to the playoffs, eliminating Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami before falling in the Conference semifinals.

Now, Atlanta have their sights set on a deeper playoff run. Their first challenge comes in the form of CF Montreal, the team they knocked out in last year’s play-in round. Montreal will be out for revenge, looking to start the season strong and make up for their early exit.

When will the Atlanta United vs CF Montreal match be played?

Atlanta United take on CF Montreal this Saturday, February 22, in the Matchday 1 of the 2025 MLS season, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM (ET).

Atlanta United vs CF Montreal: Time by State in the USA

ET: 7:30 PM

CT: 6:30 PM

MT: 5:30 PM

PT: 4:30 PM

How to watch Atlanta United vs CF Montreal in the USA

Tune in to MLS League Pass on Apple TV to catch the 2025 MLS regular season showdown between Atlanta United and CF Montreal, live in the USA.