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.”