The upsets continue in the North American football league MLS. The reigning champions Columbus were already eliminated, after losing in the first playoff round against Emil Forsberg's New York RB.
And now, the superior series winners Inter Miami – with superstar Lionel Messi on the team – are also out.
Atlanta won the third and decisive meeting 3–2 on Sunday night. Messi did equalize by heading in 2–2 in the 65th minute. But it was Atlanta's Bartosz Slisz's headed goal in the 76th minute that decided the match.
If you look at what we had for goals with the playoffs, it ended way too soon, admits Miami's coach Gerardo Martino, according to MLS website.
And what happens now with Lionel Messi? The 37-year-old's contract extends over next year, but Gerardo Martino cannot say for sure how long Messi will stay in the league.
I actually don't know, says Martino according to goal.com.
He still hopes that the team's development over the past year will entice Messi to continue.
If you look at where we were when we started, I think the way the team has developed is important. There's no reason for the club not to try again next year.
Atlanta, which finished 34 points behind Inter Miami in the table, will now face Orlando in the Eastern Conference semifinal.
