ATLANTA — Atlanta United defeated Inter Miami CF 2-1 Wednesday night in front of a crowd of 42,536 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
After going down a goal, Atlanta produced a pair of second-half goals from Designated Players Luiz Araújo and Josef Martínez to earn its first come-from-behind victory of the season and run its home unbeaten streak to six matches. With the win, Atlanta moved up to sixth place in the Eastern Conference and sits one point away from a top-four spot.
Miami took the lead after it was awarded a penalty in the 31st minute once video review determined goalkeeper Brad Guzan fouled Lewis Morgan as both players converged on a ball played into the box. Gonzalo Higuaín took the penalty and slotted it into the bottom left corner to give Miami the lead in the 32nd minute. Despite combining well in the attack and dominating possession, Atlanta trailed at the break.
However, Atlanta United equalized in the 59th minute off a set piece. Kelvin Leerdam pulled down Ezequiel Barco just outside of the 18-yard box inside the semi-circle and earned a yellow card. Marcelino Moreno and Araújo stood over the ball, but it was Araújo who took the shot, placing it between two defenders in the wall and sneaking it past Miami’s Nick Marsman to tie the match.
Martínez appeared to give Atlanta the lead in the 71st minute when Moreno perfectly placed a cross from the right side where the Venezuelan emphatically headed it into goal, but he was called offside. Two minutes later, though, Atlanta took the lead for good.
Miles Robinson won the ball in the defensive half and immediately played a ball forward to start the attack. Brooks Lennon dribbled up the right side and found Araújo in the middle of the field. The Brazilian played an early through ball, threading it behind Miami’s backline as Martínez split a pair of defenders to run on to it. Atlanta’s front man coolly one-timed a low shot into the bottom right corner for his 11th of the season. It also marked Araújo’s fourth assist of the year and Lennon’s sixth.
Atlanta nearly added a third in the 78th minute when Moreno had a shot saved from close range on the right side and it skipped across the box to Araújo on the left side, who put a shot on goal from a tight angle, but it was blocked by Marsman and bounced off the left post before it was ultimately collected by Miami’s keeper.
Guzan made a crucial save in the 89th minute to preserve the lead. Christian Makoun delivered a cross from the left side to Robbie Robinson where he had a free header at the edge of the six-yard box, but Guzan was quick to react and pushed it off the line with a diving save to his left.
Atlanta (12-9-10, 46 points) returns to action Saturday, Oct. 30 when it hosts Toronto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for its regular season home finale (6:00 p.m., Bally Sports South, Star 94.1, La Mejor).
