Inter Miami CF vs. Atlanta United | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 18
Inter Miami CF vs. Atlanta United
Inter Miami CF Stadium – Fort Lauderdale
October 14 – 5:00 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: FOX Sports Southeast, CBS4 (Miami)

Inter Miami CF look to extend the club's first winning streak and attempt to leap above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference when they host Atlanta United Wednesday night in Fort Lauderdale. .

A shorthanded Inter Miami CF (5W-10L-2D) are coming off a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo at home and are one point below Atlanta United (5W-9L-3D), which occupy the 10th and final playoff spot in the East. The Five Stripes suffered a 1-0 home defeat to the New York Red Bulls Saturday.

This is the fourth meeting this season between the sides. Miami have claimed consecutive 2-1 wins after a 0-0 draw in the inaugural meeting on Sept. 2.

Inter Miami CF

A Lewis Morgan penalty kick in the 57th minute was the difference as a transformed Inter Miami squad defeated the Houston Dynamo 1-0 on a rainy Saturday in Fort Lauderdale. Head coach Diego Alonso credits a handful of summer signings with changing the atmosphere around the expansion team.

"I think the team has improved and it's noticeable that since we returned from Orlando this is another team," Alonso said after the match. "And since Blaise Matuidi arrived, [Leandro] Gonzalez Pirez arrived and [Gonzalo] Higuain arrived, it's another team. We have more options, more quality and the players notice it and it's contagious so everyone tries to play at this level."

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: George Acosta (M) - left knee injury
- OUT: David Norman Jr (M) - left ankle injury
- OUT: Denso Ulysse (D) - left lower leg injury
- OUT: Andrés Reyes (D) - lower leg injury
- OUT: Luis Robles (GK) - fractured left arm
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: Rodolfo Pizarro (M)

Atlanta United

After failing to concede in consecutive matches, Atlanta gave up a goal two minutes into the second half by 17-year-old Caden Clark and their search for a first-ever regular season win over the Red Bulls continues after a 1-0 home defeat Saturday night. Atlanta United's newest Designated Player, Marcelino Moreno, made his club debut. He played 61 minutes before coming off for Adam Jahn.

"I think he was fantastic," Atlanta interim head coach Stephen Glass said after the match. "Everyone can see the qualities he had. He obviously tired a little bit in the second half. It was a lot to ask of him, but I think he showed why we had the belief to put him in the starting lineup, as well, and the quality and why he's at the club."

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Josef Martinez (F) - ACL injury
- OUT: Edgar Castillo (D) - undisclosed injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Franco Escobar (D)
International duty: None