MATCH PREVIEW: Inter Miami CF to Host Atlanta United on Sunday

By Inter Miami CF

May 7^th, 2021

Following two road matches, Inter Miami CF (1-1-1, 4 points) returns home to take on Atlanta United (1-1-1, 4 points) over the weekend. The matchup at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, May 9, is set to kick off at 1 p.m. ET.

A match of many firsts

Inter Miami will continue its second MLS campaign at home after drawing 0-0 against Nashville on the road. It was a match with many firsts for the team, with Jay Chapman, Ryan Shawcross and Victor Ulloa getting their first starts of the season, and Ulloa donning the captain’s armband for the first time as well. Edison Azcona also made history in the match by becoming the Club’s first Academy product to feature for the First Team. Finally, Ryan Shawcross, who was voted as the Heineken Man of the Match, was named to the MLS Team of the Week due to his stellar performance in Sunday’s match against Nashville.

MATCH PREVIEW: Inter Miami CF to Host Atlanta United on Sunday

Head Coach Phil Neville Said

"The game well I think it will be a really difficult game, I think they have invested really well in their team. I obviously know Gabriel Heinze really well and I know the types of teams he likes to play, and coach and manage with real intensity... Every time I watch them play I think they’ve got some really good players, exciting players, players that can cause you damage, players that can really score goals and be exciting. I think it’s going to be a real, real tough game for us. You think about the game against Philadelphia, which is one of the best teams in the league, I think Atlanta will be up there this year in terms of challenging to win the trophies and get the top honors so I expect a real difficult game for us," said Neville.

Where to Watch

The match will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN Deportes. Fans worldwide can follow live updates including video highlights and stats on the Club’s App. Download and Register your Profile here: https://www.intermiamicf.com/en/club/app.

Round Five vs. Atlanta United

This weekend’s fixture will be the fifth in Club history against Atlanta United after the teams met four times in regular season action in Inter Miami’s inaugural season in the league in 2020. The team remains undefeated against Sunday's opponent, recording two wins and two draws against Atlanta thus far.

Milestone in Sight

Inter Miami defender Leandro González Pirez may reach a milestone in his MLS career in the matchup, as he is only two minutes away from reaching 10,000 of regular season action in the league.

Familiar Faces

The match may also feature reunions between former teammates or rivals for Inter Miami and Nashville players. Notably, Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville and Atlanta’s head coach Gabriel Heinze were teammates during their playing careers, with the pair sharing the pitch in 19 matches for Manchester United between 2004 and 2005.

A series of reunions may also be on the cards for a host of Argentine players on both squads. Nicolás Figal may face former Independiente teammate Ezequiel Barco, who he played alongside from 2016 to 2018. Meanwhile, Gonzalo Higuaín and Federico Higuaín could face Lisandro López once more after playing against him during their time plying their trade in Europe, and Julián Carranza may play against Alan Franco after previously facing each other in an Argentine top-flight match in 2019, where Carranza’s Banfield took on Franco’s Independiente.

Additionally, Mexican international Rodolfo Pizarro may have a head to head against two compatriots, Jürgen Damm and Erick Torres. Pizarro was teammates with Damm at C.F. Pachuca from 2013 to 2015 and has also featured alongside him with the Mexican National Team, while he has lined up alongside Torres at various levels of the national team. Pizarro has also matched up against both in the past, competing Damm in a Concacaf Champions League matches and against Torres in a Liga MX game during his time as a Pachuca player.

Defender / midfielder Christian Makoun, meanwhile, could also play against his Venezuelan counterpart Ronald Hernández, who he played alongside with Zamora FC and Venezuela’s U-20 National Team. Defender Ryan Shawcross may have the chance to face Brad Guzan once more after facing each other six times during Shawcross’ tenure with Stoke City in the English Premier League. Lewis Morgan could face Jake Mulraney after playing against each other in Scottish Premier League games during his stint with Celtic F.C. and against Anton Walkes after playing against him five times in EFL League One action while playing for Sunderland AFC.

Lastly, LGP and Brek Shea will be facing their former side, while Atlanta’s Mikey Ambrose will return to South Florida after featuring as part of the Inter Miami roster for the team’s inaugural campaign in 2020.

Atlanta United's Record

Atlanta enters this weekend's fixture after falling 2-1 on the road against the New England Revolution in their previous game. So far, Atlanta has recorded four points from its first three matches, with Barco leading the team with one goal and an 80% pass accuracy rate this campaign.

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