Messi went over to the Atlanta United bench before kickoff to hug Martino, who eventually approached Suarez on the Inter Miami bench to exchange another hug after the final whistle.

“Well, for me, it was a really nice chapter that we experienced here in Miami,” Martino said postgame in response to Bolavip. “We were able to accomplish some of the first important things for the club. They’re two great figures, two great soccer players.

“But beyond that, what I’ll take away is the relationship we built and the fact that I was able to play a small part in their careers. Obviously, I spent more time with Leo and less time with Luis, but we built a great relationship, and the greeting with both of them was simply a reflection of that.”

Messi and Suarez’s experience with Martino in Miami

Both Messi and Suarez enjoyed a fruitful stint under Martino at Inter Miami. The Argentine star arrived first and, with Tata as his coach, led the Herons to immediate success at the 2023 Leagues Cup, the club’s first major trophy.

The Uruguayan striker arrived for the 2024 season, helping Messi and Martino lead Inter Miami to an MLS record 74-point regular season to secure the MLS Supporters’ Shield. They couldn’t translate that success into the postseason though, as Atlanta United knocked them out in the first round of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Either way, all three had a wonderful time together in South Florida.

Martino had already worked with Messi at Barcelona (2013-14) before overlapping with him on the Argentine national team (2014-16), so they already had a well-established relationship before reuniting in Miami. But Martino and Suarez got to spend enough time together to develop a genuine bond, which made Saturday’s game even more special.

Miguel Almiron praises Messi after signs of mutual respect

Though not a former teammate, Atlanta United star Miguel Almiron also hugged Messi before and after the game. When asked about it by Bolavip, the Paraguay international made sure to show his respect for the Argentine legend.

“I have a lot of respect for Leo,” Almiron said. “I think everyone admires him for who he is, both as a player and as a person. I admire his game and the way he continues to make history.”

Silvetti suffered shoulder discomfort once again and had to leave the match between Inter Miami and Atlanta United just six minutes after coming on. The Argentine had returned to action following an injury that had kept him off the pitch.

He suffered a left shoulder dislocation during the match against Atletico San Luis in the Leagues Cup. After a recovery period, he returned to group training a few days ago and earned the opportunity to log minutes in MLS.

Silvetti replaces Luis Suarez and exits six minutes later

Silvetti entered in the 39th minute of the second half to replace Luis Suarez and appeared to have the chance to get back to playing. However, his return proved short-lived.

Just six minutes later, the Argentine felt pain in his shoulder once again and had to leave the pitch for Inter Miami. His place was taken by Daniel Pinter, leaving Silvetti with renewed concern over another issue in the same area.

Silvetti initially suffered a dislocated left shoulder in early August. The forward entered a recovery process following the injury and has finally stepped back onto the pitch.

Inter Miami drop key points

The Herons had the perfect opportunity to pick up points after Nashville drew 0-0 against New York City, halting their winning streak. It was Inter Miami’s chance to close the gap, but following the draw, Nashville remained at 53 points while Inter Miami sat at 43 — 10 points behind.

The weather protocol is very clear in these cases — a rule that was even implemented in the 2026 World Cup — triggering immediately whenever lightning is detected within an 8-mile radius (approximately 13 kilometers) around the stadium.

To give an idea of how long it can take, a 30-minute countdown timer begins. Every time a new lightning strike occurs within the 8-mile radius, the wait time resets completely to 30 minutes. The match cannot resume until 30 continuous minutes pass without electrical activity in the area.

The most impacted matches by weather delays in MLS

Among the most extreme and memorable cases of severe weather disruptions in MLS history is Real Salt Lake vs. LAFC (March 2024): A match that suffered multiple interruptions almost immediately after kickoff due to an extreme combination of winds, nearby electrical strikes, and an intense snowstorm accumulating on the pitch at America First Field, forcing constant temporary suspensions.

Another case is LA Galaxy vs. LAFC (2023). The highly anticipated Los Angeles derby, set to break attendance records at the Rose Bowl, had to be postponed entirely before kickoff due to a severe weather alert and dangerous thunderstorms in the area.

Inter Miami and their most affected matches

Inter Miami have experienced several notable weather delay episodes due to frequent thunderstorms in Florida, but among the most memorable is Inter Miami vs Orlando City (Leagues Cup 2023). This Clasico del Sol suffered one of the most severe and chaotic initial delays.

Kickoff was scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, but a heavy downpour with electrical activity over DRV PNK Stadium forced the match to be delayed by more than two and a half hours, finally starting at 10:35 p.m.

And a very recent one also in the Leagues Cup: Inter Miami vs Atletico de San Luis (Leagues Cup 2026). Unlike other delays that occur before kickoff, this game at Nu Stadium suffered a direct interruption mid-match. In the 68th minute, while Inter Miami were leading 4-2 (with a brace from Lionel Messi), lightning strikes forced play to be stopped.

Inter Miami are coming off the debut of a new head coach last matchday against Montreal, handing them an historic 7-1 blowout at Nu Stadium in Kily Gonzalez’s first game on the bench.

Atlanta United sit 13th in the MLS Eastern Conference and are coming off a 2-0 loss to Charlotte. They will look to pick up valuable points against the second-place side, who also need the points to catch Nashville.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup

The pink side will look to capitalize on home-field advantage to secure three key points in the fight to stay at the top of the Eastern Conference. With Messi as the main attacking weapon, the Herons face a consistently demanding opponent looking to pull off a road upset.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup: Dayne St. Clair; Fricio Caicedo, Maximiliano Falcon, Casemiro, Ian Fray; Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul; German Berterame, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi.

Atlanta United confirmed lineup

Gerardo “Tata” Martino will manage Atlanta United from the opposing bench and face Lionel Messi once again in an official match. The coach previously managed Messi with the Argentina national team and during his time at Inter Miami. The match will feature a reunion between the two, this time with Martino leading the visiting team.

Atlanta confirmed lineup: Lucas Hoyos; Elias Baez, Junior Alonso, Paulo Diaz, Tomas Jacob; Aleksey Miranchuk, William Reilly, Tristan Muyumba, Cooper Sanchez; Miguel Almiron, and Breel Embolo.

How to watch Inter Miami vs Atlanta United in the USA

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United will be available live on Apple TV in the United States. The 2026 MLS media-rights arrangement makes every regular-season match available through a subscription, with no separate MLS Season Pass required.

Can I watch Inter Miami vs Atlanta United for free?

Apple TV currently offers a 7-day free trial for MLS, meaning eligible new subscribers can use the trial to watch Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United without paying during the trial period.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Inter Miami return to MLS action on September 5, and the timing could hardly be more interesting. The Herons are coming off their biggest regular-season win in club history, a 7-1 demolition of CF MontrEal, in which Lionel Messi scored four times and added an assist. The result ended a five-game winless run across all competitions and earned Messi another MLS Player of the Matchday award.

That performance changed the mood around Miami, but the challenge now is to turn one spectacular night into sustained momentum. Messi leads the MLS scoring race with 18 goals, and Inter Miami’s attack has become the centerpiece of their push near the top of the Eastern Conference.

With the regular season entering its decisive stretch, another home victory would be valuable as the Herons look to secure a strong playoff position and keep their hopes of another MLS title alive.

Atlanta United arrive in a very different situation. The Five Stripes are trying to recover from a difficult campaign and will face one of the league’s most dangerous attacks on the road.

The matchup also carries an additional storyline because Gerardo “Tata” Martino is back in charge of Atlanta after previously leading the club to its historic 2018 MLS Cup title. Martino knows Inter Miami particularly well from his time coaching the Herons alongside Messi.

Inter Miami vs Atlanta United: Predicted Lineups

Inter Miami (4-3-3): Dayne St. Clair; Noah Allen, Maximiliano Falcon, Casemiro, Ian Fray; Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul; German Berterame, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi.

Atlanta United (4-3-1-2): Lucas Hoyos; Enea Mihaj, Junior Alonso, Paulo Diaz, Tomas Jacob; Will Reilly, Tristan Muyumba, Cooper Sanchez; Aleksei Miranchuk; Miguel Almiron, Fafa Picault.

What time is the Inter Miami vs Atlanta United match?

The Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United match kicks off on Saturday, September 5, at 7:30 PM ET at Nu Stadium. Major League Soccer and Inter Miami’s official schedule both confirm the 7:30 PM ET start time.

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

The MLS regular season is entering a crucial stage, and the South Florida side cannot afford to let any more opportunities slip away if it wants to keep pace with Nashville SC, the conference’s sole leaders. Their latest 7-1 thrashing of CF Montreal, with Messi scoring four goals, left a very positive impression of Inter Miami.

This is the starting XI expected to take the field at Nu Stadium: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Casemiro, Maximiliano Falcon, Facundo Mura; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi (C), German Berterame, Luis Suarez.

Messi looks to stay among the top scorers

Years and seasons go by, yet Lionel Messi continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in history. This campaign is no exception, as the Argentine superstar remains the league’s leading scorer so far this season.

Having played 22 matches in the regular season, Messi has scored 18 goals so far, while also providing nine assists. His closest challenger in the scoring charts is FC Dallas’ Petar Musa, with 16 goals, while New York City FC’s Nicolas Fernandez Mercau rounds out the top three with 14.

What’s next for the Herons?

The matchup against Atlanta United will be a tough test for a team looking to overtake Nashville SC at the top of the standings. If the Herons want to remain in contention for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, they will have to overcome these difficult challenges lying ahead:

• at Chicago Fire, September 9 (Soldier Field)
• vs Nashville SC, September 12
• vs San Diego FC, September 20
• at Columbus Crew, September 27
• vs DC United, October 10

How to watch Charlotte vs Atlanta United in the USA

Fans across the United States will have multiple options to watch this exciting match live, with several platforms offering complete coverage of the action from start to finish.

The game will be available on Apple TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, and Hulu + Live TV, with FS1 and FOX Deportes airing the TV broadcast.

Can I watch Charlotte vs Atlanta United for free?

Fans in the United States can stream the game live on Fubo (free five-day trial) or Apple TV (free seven-day trial for eligible users).

Available nationwide, both streaming services provide complete coverage of the action, from the opening kick until the match comes to an end.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Charlotte FC and Atlanta United meet in a key Eastern Conference showdown with valuable points on the line. Atlanta has managed just 11 points this season and sits near the bottom of the standings, making a win essential to keep its playoff hopes alive.

Charlotte, meanwhile, holds a postseason spot with 21 points but remains under pressure from several teams close behind, leaving little room for mistakes. With plenty at stake for both sides, this rivalry is one you won’t want to miss.

Charlotte vs Atlanta United: Predicted Lineups

Charlotte (4-2-3-1): Kristijan Kahlina; Nathan Byrne Cleary, Idan Toklomati Agyemang, Henry Kessler, Andrew Privett; Ashley Westwood, Djibril Diani; Kerwin Vargas, Pep Biel, Wilfried Zaha; Idan Toklomati.

Atlanta United (5-4-1): Ethan Hoyos; Matthew Edwards, Noah Jacob, Enea Mihaj, Ronald Baez; Tristan Muyumba; Luke Brennan, Edwin Mosquera Sanchez, Ajani Fortune, Xande Silva Lobjanidze; Aleksei Miranchuk.

What time is the Charlotte vs Atlanta United match?

The match kicks off today, July 22, at 8:15 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 8:15 PM
Central Time: 7:15 PM
Mountain Time: 6:15 PM
Pacific Time: 5:15 PM

How to watch Nashville SC vs Atlanta United in the USA

Apple TV will be the exclusive home for fans eager to watch this marquee showdown live from beginning to end.

This matchup will stream live only on Apple TV, where exclusive coverage brings every moment from kickoff to the final whistle.

Can I watch Nashville SC vs Atlanta United for free?

Viewers across the United States can watch this match live on Apple TV, which is offering a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

The offer lets viewers enjoy the match at no initial cost before deciding whether to continue with a subscription after the free trial ends.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

With Atlanta United sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference on just 11 points, Nashville SC has a prime opportunity to strengthen its position at the top of the table.

However, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami applying pressure in the race for first place, Nashville know every point is crucial.

Atlanta will be desperate to spring a surprise and revive its season, adding even more intensity to this Eastern Conference showdown. Be sure to tune in and catch every minute of the action.

Nashville SC vs Atlanta United: Predicted Lineups

Nashville SC (4-3-3): Schwake; Najar, Palacios, Woledzi, Lovitz; Espinoza, Corcoran, Tagseth; Mukhtar, Surridge, Qasem.

Atlanta United (4-1-4-1): Hoyos; Jacob, Gregersen, Mihaj, Baez; Muyumba; Miranchuk, Fortune, Sanchez, Galarza; Latte Lath.

What time is the Nashville SC vs Atlanta United match?

The match kicks off today, July 17, at 8:10 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 8:10 PM
Central Time: 7:10 PM
Mountain Time: 6:10 PM
Pacific Time: 5:10 PM

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.