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Atlanta United and Inter Miami CF play to scoreless draw (9.2.20) — September 2, 2020

Atlanta United and Inter Miami CF play to scoreless draw (9.2.20)

Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan during contest against Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
Photo by Eric Rossitch/Atlanta United

In their first meeting in Major League Soccer history, Atlanta United and expansion franchise Inter Miami CF played to a scoreless 0-0 draw on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The best first half scoring opportunity for Atlanta (3-4-1, 10 points) came in the 11th minute when Erick Torres pushed a left-footed shot high past the net off of a right-footed crossing pass from Brooks Lennon. For Miami (1-6-1, four points), Lewis Morgan’s right-footed direct shot towards the Atlanta net was saved by Brad Guzan in the 45th minute.
Both teams attempted three shots in the first half with Atlanta leading in possession 62.4 percent to 37.6 percent.
Miami had several scoring opportunities in the second half starting with Leando Gonzalez Pirez’s redirected shot off of a corner that went high in the 56th minute. Brek Shea’s shot attempt in 79th minute saved by Guzan, Robbie Robinson’s blocked shot in penalty area at the 89th minute mark and Juan Agudelo’s wide header in the 90th minute off of a corner were the other offensive chances for the road team.
Atlanta had an opportunity in the 80th minute when Jake Mulraney’s crossing pass was caught by Miami goalkeeper Luis Robles.
Atlanta’s Tyler Wolff made his MLS debut as a substitute in the 62nd minute replacing Ezequiel Barco.
Miami led Atlanta in shot attempts (10-5), attempted corners (5-3) and fouls committed (22-17).. Atlanta led in possession 60.3 percent to 39.7 percent. Anton Walkes, Jurgen Damm and Mulraney each received a yellow card for Atlanta while Miami players Jay Chapman, Ben Sweat and Gonzalez Pirez were also booked with yellows.
“It wasn’t great,” Guzan said. “We need to be realistic.When the performance isn’t up to the standard we expect, we can’t kid ourselves. The last 15-20 minutes we were holding on and certainly under a bit of pressure. We need to manage the game better. You saw some guys with tired legs but at the same time we can’t make excuses.”
Atlanta midfielder Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez did not suit up for the team in the contest with a pending transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, a potential move confirmed by Atlanta president Darren Eales prior to kickoff.
“When you have a teammate like Pity and you’re expecting him to play, Its going to be a disappointment when he’s not part of your group,” Atlanta interim manager Stephen Glass said. “We had a good level of control in the first half and played a bulk of the half in their half. The quality in the final third was lacking.”

Fighting Peaches: Georgia State volleyball Sally Polhamus interview (9.2.20) —

Fighting Peaches: Georgia State volleyball Sally Polhamus interview (9.2.20)

Georgia State volleyball head coach Sally Polhamus during contest
Photo credit: Georgia State Athletics

The Sports Inquirer spoke with Georgia State volleyball head coach Sally Polhamus for an exclusive interview Sept. 2. Topics included the team’s fall practices, how the coronavirus pandemic impacted the offseason, handling the new health procedures required for training, the Sun Belt-intensive regular season schedule and the recruiting calendar.

Fighting Peaches: Georgia State volleyball Sally Polhamus interview (9.2.20)
Fighting Peaches: Georgia State volleyball Leah Wilcox and Meisheia Griffin interview (9.2.20) —

Fighting Peaches: Georgia State volleyball Leah Wilcox and Meisheia Griffin interview (9.2.20)

Georgia State volleyball player Leah Wilcox
Photo credit: Georgia State Athletics
Georgia State volleyball player Meisheia Griffin (12) celebrates during contest against Appalachian State
Photo credit: Georgia State Athletics

The Sports Inquirer spoke with Georgia State volleyball players Leah Wilcox and Meisheia Griffin for an exclusive interview Sept. 2. Topics included the team’s fall practices, how the coronavirus pandemic impacted the offseason, handling the new health procedures required for training and serving as leaders on the team.

Fighting Peaches: Georgia State volleyball Leah Wilcox and Meisheia Griffin interview (9.2.20)

Original Free Kick: Atlanta United hosts Inter Miami CF in first meeting of two franchises —

Original Free Kick: Atlanta United hosts Inter Miami CF in first meeting of two franchises

Atlanta United defender Brooks Lennon #11 dribbles the ball during the first half of the 2020 MLS season opener between Atlanta United FC and Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday February 29, 2020. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta United)

Atlanta United hosts Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise Inter Miami CF Sept. 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It’s the first lifetime meeting of the two franchises.
Atlanta enters the contest coming off of a 3-1 home loss to Orlando City SC Aug. 29. Brooks Lennon scored his first goal for Atlanta while Jurgen Damm notched an assist in his team debut. Ezequiel Barco also had an assist on Lennon’s goal in his first action for Atlanta since July 21 after missing the previous two games due to a lower leg injury.
Since joining MLS in 2017, Atlanta holds a 5-1-1 record against expansion sides, outscoring their opponents 21-5.
Miami also looks to rebound from a setback following its 1-0 defeat at fellow expansion team Nashville SC Aug. 30 for its sixth loss in seven contests for Miami this season. Miami made five substitutions in the 75th minute to spark the comeback attempt.
“We had 18 shots against five by [Nashville] playing on the road,” Miami manager Diego Alonso said according to the team’s Web page. “That’s without taking into account the countless crosses that we delivered. That speaks of the dominance we had on the pitch and the number of opportunities that we had.”
Atlanta was originally scheduled to play at Miami Aug. 26 but the contest was suspended due to both teams’ protest against social injustice and not participating in the competition. Miami has three former Atlanta players on its current roster; Mikey Ambrose, Brek Shea and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez.
“I think Miami played the lineup against Nashville that was going to be used against us,” Stephen Glass said. “We’re doing our homework on them. Miami is dangerous at the front end of the pitch, are fluid, move around and have multiple threats. We need to be on guard. Any game we’re at home with the players we have, we need to take charge.”