Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF Eliminated in the 1st Round of MLS Playoffs

The kings of the regular season, Inter Miami, have been eliminated from MLS playoff contention by Atlanta United in the first round, following a 3-game series. While Inter Miami won the first game, they lost the second two.

It was a result that perhaps was not supposed to happen. A team full of stars including Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets (who was injured for most of the series), Luis Suarez, and Jordi Alba were expected to make a substantial run in the playoffs. Many had them as favorites to win the MLS Cup, therefore making the elimination a major upset.

What went wrong for the MLS superteam? Despite a record-breaking regular season where they finished with the most points out of anyone else in the league, they could not maintain the momentum heading into the newly formatted MLS playoff system.

In the new format, 18 teams (nine from each conference) face off against each other in a 3-game series in Round One. Subsequent rounds — the Conference Semi-Final, the Conference Final, and MLS Cup are all single-elimination games. Following Miami’s elimination, Inter Miami left-back Alba had this to say about the new format:

“In my opinion, I am not the one who is going to change [the rules] now. This format seems a little unfair to me.

“It is clear that it has been done this way for many years, but if you ask me, if it were up to me, I would have to be the champion of one conference against the champion of the other, to make it as fair as possible, that’s how it is.”

Inter Miami was also without star midfielder Sergio Busquets for most of the series vs. Atlanta United. The midfielder is known for being one of the most elite deep-lying playmakers in the world and is a vital component of Miami’s attacking and defensive efforts. Of course, missing a player of this caliber would have done more harm than good for Miami’s playoff chances. Had the 2010 World Cup winner been available, things may have gone much differently for them.

Additionally, Miami must sort out their defensive issues should they make a more serious effort at winning the MLS Cup next season. While having an attack consisting of Messi and Suarez would give any team in the world problems, center-back Tomas Alives has yet to fulfill his huge potential. Academy defender Ian Fray has looked impressive, although he was also out with an injury during the series. Miami must look to recruit a no-nonsense, solid center-back should they push for the title again.