{"id":29438,"date":"2020-09-09T23:28:37","date_gmt":"2020-09-10T03:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/?p=29438"},"modified":"2020-09-09T23:28:37","modified_gmt":"2020-09-10T03:28:37","slug":"inter-miami-hold-off-atlanta-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2020\/09\/09\/inter-miami-hold-off-atlanta-united\/","title":{"rendered":"Resilient Inter Miami hold off Atlanta United, extend unbeaten streak"},"content":{"rendered":"

Miami, Florida \u2014<\/strong> Inter Miami<\/a> remained unbeaten at home with a 2-1 win over Atlanta United<\/a> Wednesday night in Fort Lauderdale. The win also extended Inter Miami\u2019s unbeaten streak to three games\u00a0 ahead of their restart mini-group finale this weekend in Orlando.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For a club that dropped its first five games in club history despite being competitive in each game, the turnaround comes not a moment too soon, and is a testament to the club\u2019s resilience and belief. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was something said in a leadership meeting that we felt the bounces were starting to go our way. For Lewis to get the goal right off the bat, but then for us to concede right away, but then to come right back and take the lead back, that shows how our mindset is progressing. It shows how we are really developing as a team,\u201d Inter Miami captain Luis Robles said after the game. <\/span><\/p>\n

After a host of games where La Rosa Negra started quickly only to lament lost opportunities from poor finishing, Diego Alonso\u2019s side again came out of the gates firing on all cylinders. In only the game\u2019s 5th minute, a looping ball from midfielder Victor Ulloa found the feet of rookie Robbie Robinson, who had done well to get in behind Miles Robinson.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sensing Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan would react to him first, Robinson dished to Rodolfo Pizarro, only to have the Mexican international\u2019s attempt to slot home bravely saved by the lunging leg of Guzan. It was a spectacular save from the longtime U.S. international, but a lost opportunity for the Herons to score in a two on the goalkeeper situation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inter Miami uses aggressive tactic<\/h2>\n

Inter Miami\u2019s high pressure gave Atlanta fits early, forcing a number of sloppy giveaways that kept the visitors on their heels. Eventually, Atlanta settled into the game, and it was the Five Stripes who had the next chance, when former Atlanta All-Star Leandro <\/span>Gonz\u00e1lez <\/span>Pirez clipped his old teammate Ezequiel Barco in zone fourteen, just north of the eighteen.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ensuing free kick from Barco took an odd deflection, but was ultimately gobbled up by Inter Miami keeper Robles. Barco also tested Robles on another spot kick in the 26th minute. However, this time, with the shot coming from a more difficult angle, Robles saved easily to his left.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Inter Miami continued to push. Finally, after 340 excruciating minutes, Inter Miami found a goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An Atlanta corner bounced out towards Pizarro, sending Inter Miami away three on two, as the Five Stripes had pushed numbers forward. With Robbie Robinson occupying Miles Robinson, Pizarro played a ball in space to winger Lewis Morgan, who took a touch inside the area and then whipped a right-footed shot just past the outstretched leg of Guzan and in at the far post. The goal sent the Inter Miami bench into a frenzy \u2014 the kind of relieved exuberance usually reserved for game winners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Counter \u27a1\ufe0f Goal #InterMiamiCF<\/a> \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n

Lewis Morgan makes it 1-0 on the feed from @Rpizarrot<\/a>. #MIAvATL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/EPylqNm0Pv<\/a><\/p>\n

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 10, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n