Lionel Messi and Co return as Miami hosts Atlanta United

MIAMI: Inter Miami is set to welcome back superstar Lionel Messi and his former FC Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets on Wednesday night when they host skidded Atlanta United in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Herons (10-2-4, 34 points) overcame the trio’s scheduled absence for rest reasons Saturday when they extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games (7-0-3) with a 2 -1 on the host Vancouver Whitecaps. .

Robert Taylor, who replaced Messi in the starting lineup, had a goal and an assist and Leo Campana scored for the second time in as many matches for Miami on Saturday.

“I’m very proud of our players’ performance,” Herons coach Tata Martino said, according to the Miami Herald. “It was a very important victory for us because it was a very difficult match in which we had to run a lot, work a lot, suffer a lot.

“These are three very valuable points for us because of the absences we have had and people’s expectations. This victory was a just reward for the excellent work done by our players.

Suarez entered Wednesday tied for second in MLS with a team-leading 11 goals, one ahead of Messi.

While Miami is riding its unbeaten streak, Atlanta (3-7-4, 13 points) saw its winless drought extend to nine matches (0-5-4) after a 1-0 home loss against Los Angeles FC on Saturday. Atlanta has been shut out in five league games this season.

“Watching from the sidelines, it was good to see everyone giving 100 percent and not having any luck with the goal,” Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I think… when things don’t go your way, they really don’t go your way.”

Top scorer Giorgos Giakoumakis (club top five goals) was absent against LAFC due to a hamstring injury. His availability for Wednesday’s game remains to be determined.