In 2024, Atlanta fired its coach, fired its GM and parted with several stars. After knocking Miami out of the playoffs, it's playing with house money.

The Argentine won't be in MLS forever and his shock early exit from the playoffs is an opportunity to really evaluate 'the Messi effect'

The 61-year-old Martino reportedly stepped down due to personal reasons, leaving Inter Miami to find a new coach to work with Lionel Messi.

The MLS Cup playoffs have been unpredictable so far, with the shock exits of Inter Miami and Columbus Crew. Who's going to win it now?

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami suffered a shock elimination in the first round of the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs on Saturday, losing 3-2 to No. 9 seed Atlanta United on home soil in the best-of-three series decider.

Inter Miami has played Atlanta five times this year, and won just once, 2-1 in the playoff opener at home. Atlanta beat Miami 3-1 back in May, they tied 2-2 in September, and Atlanta stunned Miami on Saturday to force Game 3 with an extra-time game winner by Xande Silva before a crowd of 68,455 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Two free kicks by Messi in the final minutes hit the wall of Atlanta defenders, and time eventually ran out on soccer’s most decorated player and his team.

The MLS Cup Playoffs resume on Saturday, with the second round taking place over a month after the regular season concluded. Viewers will return to a bracket in a state of relative carnage, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and defending champion Columbus Crew having exited in the first round.