Where to watch Atlanta United vs Inter Miami: Live stream, TV channel & start time with Messi out of MLS match

September 16, 2023 Admin

Inter Miami continues its ferocious MLS playoff push as they take a short trip north for a meeting with Atlanta United — but they’ll do so without Lionel Messi.

Messi was afforded some well-earned rest as Argentina took care of Bolivia handily in World Cup qualifying, meaning the 36-year-old did not have to exert himself in the mountainous altitude of La Paz.

However, the trip to Atalanta has come too soon and he has not traveled to help continue Inter Miami’s charge up the Eastern Conference standings, which has hit the afterburners. Messi arrived with Inter Miami well adrift at the bottom of the table, but they have collected 10 points in their last four league matches, including a 3-2 win over Sporting KC last time out without the services of Messi or seven other players on international duty.

While Inter Miami clobbered Atlanta United 4-0 in Leagues Cup play way back on Messi’s first start for his new MLS club, today’s hosts have engineered some good form of their own, with seven points from four matches against quality opponents since that Leagues Cup exit.

MORE: How many games is Lionel Messi missing for Inter Miami?

Atlanta United vs Inter Miami live stream, TV channel

Soccer fans looking to catch Messi back in MLS action can watch Atlanta United vs Inter Miami with MLS Season Pass ib Apple TV+.

Fans can sign up for MLS Season Pass for $14.99 USD per month or $29 USD for the rest of the 2023 season

What time does Atlanta United vs Inter Miami kick off?

This MLS match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium kicks off on Saturday, September 16 at 5 p.m. local time in Atlanta.

Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:

	Date	Kickoff time
USA/Canada	Sat, Sep. 16	5 p.m. ET
USA/Canada	Sat, Sep. 16	2 p.m. PT
UK	Sat, Sep. 16	10 p.m. BST
Australia	Sun, Sep. 17	7 a.m. AEST
India	Sun, Sep. 17	2:30 a.m. IST
Hong Kong	Sun, Sep. 17	5 a.m. HKT
Malaysia	Sun, Sep. 17	5 a.m. MYT
Singapore	Sun, Sep. 17	5 a.m. SGT
New Zealand	Sun, Sep. 17	9 a.m. NZST

Atlanta United vs Inter Miami projected lineups & team news

After missing a whopping eight players last weekend for international duty, Inter Miami will be back at full strength — minus Messi — for this trip to Atlanta. Robbie Robinson could be the man drafted into cover him.

While there were some fears he missed the Bolivia match with a mystery fitness issue, ESPN Argentina report his omission from today’s match is down to giving him more time to recover.

There was one injury concern that cropped up during the international break, as young midfielder Diego Gomez picked up a thigh injury while training with Paraguay, and the length of his absence has not yet been made known.

Corentin Jean, Ian Fray, and Franco Negri are all recovering from ACL tears and out for a while, and Gregore continues to push for his own return from a long-term foot problem.

Inter Miami projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Callender (GK) — Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Miller, Alba — Cremaschi, Busquets, Arroyo — Robinson, Campana, Taylor.

Atlanta United did not have to sweat the fitness of Thiago Almada through the international break, after the youngster was not called up by Argentina. He will remain the sole focal point for the Atlanta attack here, developing a bright relationship with Georgios Giakoumakis up front.

The only injury issue for the hosts is with midfielder Osvaldo Alonso who is sidelined with a knee problem. Machop Chol is close to a return from his hamstring injury, getting minutes with the reserve side.

New signing Jamal Thiare has trained with the club and could see the field after finally having his visa sorted after a transfer from Le Havre. The Senegal-born striker joined on August 1 via a free transfer, but had been unable to make the trip until Tuesday of this week.

Atlanta United projected starting lineup (4-4-2): Guzan (GK) — Lennon, Robinson, Abram, Wiley— Sosa, Sejdic, Wolff, Almada — Giakoumakis, Lobzhanidze.

Atlanta United vs Inter Miami betting odds & lines

The Inter Miami betting hype train seems to have cooled considerably, but it’s hard to figure out exactly why.

This very same Inter Miami side absolutely clobbered Atlanta United 4-0 in the Leagues Cup just a month ago, and while the hosts are now in good form, there’s not much that has changed from that day, which marked Lionel Messi’s first start for the club.

Even without Messi being involved, one thing is for certain though, and that is that goals will be scored.

Inter Miami held Thiago Almada and Georgios Giakoumakis in check last time they played, but since that game, Almada has picked up a goal contribution in four of five matches, and Giakoumakis has elevated himself into Golden Boot contention. Meanwhile, Messi’s odds to score are -135 and +400 for two or more goals. Feeling frisky? Messi’s odds to bag a hat trick are +1200.