Atlanta United just inflicted arguably the biggest upset in MLS history, and they’re letting everybody know. The 2018 MLS Cup champs came into this series as massive underdogs against high-flying Inter Miami. The traversal of both teams through the regular season couldn’t be more different. Yet, they rose to the occasion and delayed Lionel Messi’s conquest across the Atlantic by at least a season.

Inter Miami ran through the competition all season. They won the MLS Supporters’ Shield with a record points tally, scoring 84 goals along the way. Almost everybody expected the star-studded club to blaze through the postseason too. However, the games are played on grass, and names on the back of the shirt condense down to just that- names- when the stakes escalate.

Making it through to the postseason was in itself a fairytale of sorts for Atlanta. They just about finished in 9th place in the Eastern Conference, only due to a superior goal difference than DC United. Then, they beat Montreal in the Wildcard round by the skin of their teeth, after a 2-2 draw had to be decided via a penalty shootout. This allowed them to mix at the big boy table against an Inter Miami outfit. They took their chance and what ensued can only be described as “silencing the naysayers”.

In a flurry of social media activity in the aftermath of the result, Atlanta United ensured the world knew of their escapades. “Time’s up, Miami🔨” , read one post on X with a broken clock in the backdrop. Miami’s untimely elimination had arrived, much to the dismay of fans of the proverbial GOAT.

The official handle even took digs at the media at large. “I know the MLS ‘experts’ HATE us rn”, they posted. With Inter Miami now out of the picture, the media will have trouble generating the same buzz around proceedings. Let alone picking a new favorite from the remaining field. In perhaps the best post of the bunch, they also tweeted the now infamous Lebron James meme as he dons the red and black of Atlanta United.

Inter Miami left to rue their shortcomings- with a silver lining

With his season coming to an abrupt end, soccer fans across the world are left with one question. “What’s next for Lionel Messi”? The answer is rather soothing now that Inter Miami is prematurely left in the abyss. The club will feature not only the MLS next season but another competition.

Inter Miami are set to make their first-ever appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. For a club still in its infancy, this is a massive step in the right direction. The tournament is set to take place in the USA, so there shall be much fervor around Miami.

The club is owed this honor on the back of winning the Supporters’ Shield. This decision came under scrutiny from different sections, in terms of whether the berth should instead go to the winner of the MLS Cup. Conspiracies about the bias towards Inter Miami followed as per. For now, Atlanta United seems to have risen above any such dialogue. The floodgates have now opened and every team will seek to make the most of Miami’s absence here on out. Who shall emerge triumphant in the MLS Cup?