The MLS playoffs are in full swing, and Round One is delivering some exciting matches. On Saturday, Atlanta United, the ninth seed, pulled off an impressive upset against top-seeded Inter Miami, forcing a decisive third game in the series. Atlanta secured a 2-1 victory with a stunning goal from forward Xande Silva in stoppage time.
Inter Miami initially took the lead with a goal from David MartÃnez in the first half, but Atlanta fought back, equalizing in the 58th minute with a goal from Derrick Williams. Silva then sealed the deal with his late-game heroics, setting the stage for Game 3.
Atlanta had previously defeated Montreal in the wild card round before facing Miami. After losing the first game 2-1, they bounced back to level the series.
The teams will now head back to Miami for the deciding match, giving Inter Miami a chance to defend their home turf against the upset-minded Atlanta side.
Out of the five matchups that have gone to Game 2, three have gone on to Game 3. Charlotte and New York City FC both managed to force a third game in their series, showcasing the competitiveness of the playoffs.
The playoff format, with its home-away-home structure and straight-to-penalties tiebreaker, has added an extra layer of drama to the matches. Lower-seeded teams winning at home have been a common theme in forcing Game 3s.
While the LA Galaxy and Minnesota United have already advanced, other teams are still battling it out. The Galaxy secured their spot in the conference semifinals with a dominant win over the Colorado Rapids, while Minnesota pulled off an upset against Real Salt Lake.
Three Game 2 matchups are set for Sunday, with the New York Red Bulls, Houston Dynamo, and Vancouver all aiming to advance to the next round. The Red Bulls will look to replicate Minnesota’s success as they face defending champions Columbus Crew.