No Messi, no problem: Miami’s “supporting cast” keeps playoff dream alive 

Miami look to continue their playoff push on Sept. 16 (next Saturday) at Atlanta United. Messi, whose availability for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Bolivia in La Paz is up in the air, will be determined before the Herons’ Matchday 32 visit to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Heading to Atlanta, Martino’s squad should be confident against his former team after their dominant 4-0 Leagues Cup win in July.

“I told you in yesterday’s press conference, that we could put together a good team,” the 2018 MLS Cup winner with Atlanta stated. “You have to consider that eight, I think, players aren’t here. And even more, I think on top of that we played a good game. I think that’s the most important thing and it’s comforting.”

Still, in the grand scheme of things, Tata is the first to put things in perspective in terms of the importance of their FIFA 2022 World Cup champion and seven-time Ballon d’Or-winning superstar.

“You know how movies have the leading man, the supporting cast?” Martino said. “Well, we’re the supporting actors who are enjoying him.”