Lionel Messi had chances at goals time and time again, only to keep being denied. Turns out, all he needed to do was deliver the right pass at the right time. Jordi Alba turned a pass from Messi into the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute, Luis Suarez also scored and Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 2-1 on Friday night.
It was not the easiest of openers for the Supporters Shield winners, the No. 1 overall seed in the MLS Cup playoffs - a team that set a league record with 74 points in the regular season, 34 points ahead of wild-card Atlanta in the standings.
'It's going to be difficult for us,' Inter Miami coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino said. 'It's going to be difficult as this rival has been throughout the season.'
Atlanta was the only team that beat Inter Miami when Messi was in the lineup this season, and it was almost like the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner - and finalist for MLS MVP honors - knew it wouldn't be easy.
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