Lionel Messi's Miami fell short of their own expectations, failing to end their record-setting season by winning MLS Cup. Midfielder Matias Rojas and captain Messi scored the team\u2019's goals on the night.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Atlanta rode a first-half brace from striker Jamal Thiare and a 76th-minute winner from midfielder Bartosz Slisz, sealing Game 3 of their Round One Best-of-3 Series. In turn, they've booked an Eastern Conference semifinal at Orlando City SC after the November international break.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Inter Miami opened the scoring via midfielder Matias Rojas in the 17th minute. Atlanta United forward Jamal Thiarr then scored in the 19th and 21st minutes for the visitors to go into the break with a 1-2 lead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Miami equalised through Messi's 65th-minute header. But they couldn't force a penalty-kick shootout and were repeatedly stymied by goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who made seven saves. Atlanta midfielder Bartosz Slisz then scored in the 76th minute for the definitive 2-3 scoreline.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf you think about the expectations we had for the playoffs, we evidently fell too short,\u201d Mimai head coach Gerardo Martino said post match. As it should be when there\u2019s so much expectation and the team can\u2019t meet it. In the final stretch of the year we\u2019d gotten used to achieving our objectives, and we weren\u2019t able to achieve the most important one,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Goalkeeper Drake Callender echoed Martino\u2019s feelings of disappointment. \"It sucks, it hurts. We wanted to give more to the fans who\u2019ve supported us all year long. This will definitely stick with me.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I think it\u2019s tough to kind of find words for the group. I think we all expected more of ourselves and we felt like this was a game we could\u2019ve won and we didn\u2019t,\" Callender said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Goalkeeper Drake Callender echoed Martino\u2019s feelings of disappointment. \"It sucks, it hurts. We wanted to give more to the fans who\u2019ve supported us all year long. This will definitely stick with me.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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