As the curtain draws to a close on the events down in Fort Lauderdale, everybody is convening to make sense of how Inter Miami got bested by Atlanta United. The 5-goal thriller was toiled in controversy. From disallowed goals to appeals for handball, it had everything. One particular instance caused much vehemence among fans and experts alike. 

With the game firmly in the balance at 2-2, Miami CB Tomas Aviles went down in his own box. There was seemingly no duress with no Atlanta players in his vicinity. Citing a non-contact injury, his teammates essentially stopped playing. However, the referee didn’t blow his whistle. Lo and behold, Bartosz Slisz heads in a floated cross while the unassuming defenders expect a stoppage. The goal stood and eventually turned out to be decisive. Amidst the dialogue that followed, Alexi Lalas came forward to act as the voice of reason.

Lalas sided with the referee’s discretion. He took to X, saying “This ‘unwritten rule’ of kicking [the] ball out when a player is injured is bs and antiquated. The indignation/righteousness is laughable. Players created the cynicism faking/embellishing. Kick it out if you want, but don’t cry when someone plays to the whistle”.

Alexi definitely didn’t mince his words whatsoever. He pointed to the “sportsmanlike conduct” aspect of the sequence and what it entails. Players often expect the opposition to kick the ball out of play in case of an injury. However, no rule in place makes this a mandate. You’re taught to play to the ref’s whistle right from the grassroots level. Underdogs Atlanta saw an opportunity to catch big-timers Inter Miami lacking and pounced.

Apart from this instance in a vacuum, Alexi Lalas’ comments hinting at “righteousness” also lean into a larger theme. There has been a potential sentiment of bias from the powers that be towards star-studded. This has been echoed by fans and players alike. In fact, Saturday’s star man Brad Guzan lamented the league’s mistreatment in the build-up to the game.

Brad Guzan rises to the occasion on the back of his fiery presser

Captain-goalkeeper Guzan had quite the evening. The 40-year-old made 7 saves, including an overhead effort from Luis Suarez. The vet really turned back the clock and even earned shouts for his return to the USMNT in the aftermath of his performance. Perhaps he was out there with a chip on his shoulder after his remarks in the pre-game presser.

There has been conjecture around authorities not reprimanding Inter Miami for beginning the second halves late. Conspiracies of them being allowed a few extra minutes of rest on purpose simmered underneath. When asked for comment on this, Guzan took a subtle dig at the inequality towards Messi and Co. “The referee told us at the start of the second half that it goes in the [complaint] report but he even said the league does nothing”, he said.

“[We] can’t worry about the referee, can’t worry about conspiracy theories and whatnot. At the end of the day, it’s going to be 11v 11 in their stadium and we’ve got to go down and try and find a way to win”. Talk about walking the walk. In an ironic twist of fate, it was actually Inter Miami players complaining to the refs in the backwash of the game. Atlanta United now set their sights on ruffling more feathers in the Sunshine State. They take on Orlando City in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Begrudgingly, Inter Miami will next be in action directly during the FIFA Club World Cup.