By the end of Saturday night, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were no longer part of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs.
In a stunning upset, the Eastern Conference’s ninth seed, Atlanta United, eliminated Miami in dramatic fashion.
That was not the only shock of the night. The top three seeds from the Eastern Conference, including last year’s MLS Cup champions, are now out of contention and will watch the remainder of the playoffs from the sidelines.
With Round 1 of the postseason wrapped up and nearly two weeks until the conference semifinals kick off, ESPN takes a deep look into the standout moments, surprises, and controversies of the recently concluded best-of-three series.
The Talk of Round 1
Title Favorites Emerge from Los Angeles
With Inter Miami and the Columbus Crew eliminated, attention now shifts to the new championship contenders from the West Coast: LAFC and the LA Galaxy.
The Galaxy dominated their opening series, with Riqui Puig leading the charge. The Spanish midfielder contributed four goals and one assist in a pair of emphatic wins (5-0 and 4-1) over the Colorado Rapids.
Gabriel Pec, crowned MLS Newcomer of the Year, also shined with three assists and a goal. If the Galaxy can shore up their defensive lapses, their potent attack could propel them to a title run.
Meanwhile, LAFC faced a tougher test, needing three games to dispatch the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Despite some challenges, LAFC’s depth—bolstered by club legend Carlos Vela’s return—keeps them firmly in the title conversation. The road to the MLS Cup now runs through Los Angeles.
Atlanta Embraces the Underdog Role to Upset Miami
After a dominant regular season that saw them claim the Supporters’ Shield with a record-breaking 74 points, Inter Miami’s playoff journey ended prematurely in Round 1.
The loss to Atlanta United, who finished 34 points behind Miami in the standings, sent shockwaves through the league.
Atlanta exploited Miami’s defensive vulnerabilities, with Jamal Thiaré delivering crucial goals in the decisive Game 3. Veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan, at 40 years old, was the series’ standout performer, making 18 saves and thwarting Messi multiple times.
While Miami’s early exit may disappoint fans and league marketers alike, Atlanta’s triumph embodies the playoff magic: the glory of the underdog, unexpected victories, and heroic performances from seasoned players.
