“Inter Miami 2-3 Atlanta United”, read the full-time score at Chase Stadium rather glaringly. After 90 minutes culminated in utter disappointment, Inter Miami players and fans were offered no respite. As if rubbing salt onto the fresh wounds, fireworks were set off after the game came to an end. The home team had just suffered one of, if not the biggest, upsets in MLS history. People on social media couldn’t help but notice the irony of the situation.

The game itself presented little cause to celebrate for the Miami faithful. After Matias Rojas sprung the home side into an early lead, things went south quickly. Merely 4 minutes and a Jamal Thiare brace later, the MLS Supporters’ Shield champions stood on the precipice of a first-round exit from the playoffs. Leo Messi equalized just after the hour mark. However, a controversy-ridden winner via Bartosz Slisz proved fateful. Besides this, some awkward fireworks in the aftermath couldn’t resist the social media team to take a dig.

In a post shared on Instagram by “ESPNFC”, the official Atlanta United handle subtly commented, “they were for us”. The celebratory fireworks in the backdrop of Sergio Busquets and others consoling one another made for some appalling scenes. 

Busquets himself didn’t start this decisive 3rd tie after sustaining an injury in the first game. He played no part in game 2 and only came off the bench in this one, a couple of minutes after the 3rd Atlanta goal went in. The maestro couldn’t quite impose his usual stamp on proceedings in the little time left. The Herons succumbed, and their season was now over. 

Atlanta United’s social media handlers weren’t the only ones finding humor in Miami’s misery. Fans and media members also flooded in hoards to react to the untimely pyrotechnics. Here are some of the most telling ones-

Social media reacts to the inappropriate fireworks display after Inter Miami loss

“Lamentable and embarrassing”, remarked Franco Panizo of the MiamiTotalFutbol podcast. A figure like Panzino saying this shall not fall on deaf ears within the organization. The elimination itself was grueling enough, but the mishap after full-time was especially deplorable.

Amid the flurry of laughing emojis, one person had a take on the reason behind the loss. “This team has the worst defense ever”, they claimed. Although this is rather hyperbolic, the defense has been a thorn in Miami’s side throughout.

Another humorously took a dig at the person in charge of the fireworks, saying “New intern job posting hitting the Indeed boards on Monday”. People even spoke about how the absence of the Herons from the rest of the MLS season will affect popularity. “No more pink posts for ESPN. Admin probably crying”, one person said.

While the postgame embarrassment does the rounds, the one on the pitch is more nabbing for fans. Messi and co. must now wait another year to bring the first MLS Cup title to Miami. At least they have the Supports’ Shield to show for their dominant regular season.