Lionel Messi converts his first goal of the new season as Intermiami beat Atlanta United 2-1 in last season’s MLS Cup rematch.
Alternate Fafa Piccart scored Intermiami’s first goal in the 89th minute, with Lionel Messi also scoring his first regular season goal, with Intermiami taking a dramatic 2-1 behind victory at Atlanta United.
Miami won despite six saves from Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Brad Guzan played an integral role in Messi’s team’s Atlanta playoff upset in last year’s best three MLS Cup series.
Messi’s goal on Sunday was Miami’s second regular season appearance, and he has already played eight games for the CONCACAF Champions Cup play. The Argentine star forward missed three games due to muscle fatigue before leaving the bench on Thursday night in a 2-0 victory at Jamaican Cavalier FC.
Emmanuel Lateras scored his 60th career goal in the 11th minute, taking an early lead over Atlanta.
Messi’s goal in the 20th minute left the match with a stalemate 1-1.
This was Piccult’s first goal for his sixth MLS club, moving from Vancouver to Miami this offseason.
Intermiami has three wins and one draw, heading for the top of the MLS Eastern Conference with 10 points throughout four games. Atlanta fell to one win, one draw and two losses in the season.
