Atlanta United can move above the Eastern Conference playoff line in Major League Soccer (MLS) when they host a match on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

A 2-0 defeat against Nashville SC this past weekend has left the Five Stripes two points below DC United with a game in hand.

Meanwhile, the Herons are seven points clear of the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Supporters' Shield race, having come from behind to defeat the Philadelphia Union 3-1 on Saturday.

It was a less-than-ideal start for Atlanta over the weekend, conceding a goal after just five minutes and failing to generate many quality chances despite registering five efforts on target.

The team has failed to find the back of the net in three of their previous four matches across all competitions, winning only one of those encounters (1-0 at Charlotte FC).

Atlanta United can win at most eight regular-season contests at home this year, which would still be two fewer than they managed in 2023.

On the other hand, the team has suffered six home defeats in the league this year, three more than they incurred in the 2023 domestic campaign.

In their last three matches played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium across all competitions, the Five Stripes have failed to win, scoring in only one of those instances (a 3-3 draw versus DC United in the Leagues Cup).

In this competition, they have a 100% record against Florida-based teams, winning twice, including a 3-1 victory over Miami in Fort Lauderdale in late May.

The comeback team, better known as Inter Miami, reacted well yet again to an early goal on Saturday as they continue to pad their lead at the top of the table.

That lead is currently 10 points over FC Cincinnati for first in the Eastern Conference, while the Herons can reach 20 triumphs in the league on Wednesday, doubling their total from a year ago (10).

In 2024, the team has come from behind to earn a result on 15 occasions in MLS this year when conceding the opening goal.

Miami has been deadly in the attacking third all year, scoring a league-high 65 goals, made even more impressive by the fact that they have only taken one penalty in MLS this season.

The Herons have won five of their previous six domestic encounters as the visitors, winning all of their matches in this competition since being hammered 6-1 by FC Cincinnati in early July.

This team has only ever claimed one victory against the Five Stripes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, coming away with a 2-1 win in 2022.

Reserve goalkeeper was sidelined for Atlanta this weekend because of a head injury, while played 71 minutes after missing time earlier in the campaign with a knock.

also returned to the lineup from a knock on Saturday, entering as a second-half substitute in place of.

The last time they played a domestic contest with Miami in May, notched a brace, and also netted in a convincing triumph.

Inter Miami did not have at their disposal Saturday due to a sore ankle, was sidelined with a hand issue, had a groin strain, is dealing with a hamstring problem, while and are recovering from ACL tears.

and will be suspended for this upcoming clash after each being cautioned in their victory on Saturday.

In his first game back since sustaining an ankle injury in the Copa America final, looked like his old self, notching a brace, with netting the other goal, giving him 17 in the 2024 MLS campaign, two fewer than in the Golden Boot race.

Guzan; Lennon, Rode Gregersen, Abram, Amador; Slisz, McCarty; Lobzhanidze, Miranchuk, Mosquera; RiosInter Miami looked unbeatable without Messi, and with him, they should be just as deadly and difficult to keep pace with for 90 minutes.