• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami remain in MLS Cup despite last-minute Atlanta winner due to unique MLS rule

Home> Football> MLS

Updated 09:44 3 Nov 2024 GMTPublished 08:48 3 Nov 2024 GMT

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami remain in MLS Cup despite last-minute Atlanta winner due to unique MLS rule

Inter Miami lost 2-1 to Atlanta United in the second leg of their MLS Cup last 16 clash.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are still in the MLS Cup despite losing the second leg of their last 16 play-off fixture to Atlanta United.

Inter Miami won the first leg 1-0 last week, with a second leg taking place on Saturday night to give both teams another opportunity.

It was a rare off-night for Messi in terms of the goals and assists board, with Atlanta securing a dramatic 2-1 victory through former West Ham forward Xande Silva's injury-time winner.

Advert

But while, in other leagues, the game would either go to extra time and penalties after two legs, or be settled by away goals, the MLS does things differently in its play-off system.

Inter Miami and Atlanta United will now face off for a third time in the last 16 as part of a series to determine who goes through to the quarter-finals.

But the third game is only triggered if the two teams win a game each, with a best-of-three series played instead of simply just three matches.

Advert

And with both teams winning one match so far, they will have to do it all again next Saturday.

In fact, even in the case of a draw last night, a third match would still be played as Atlanta would still be able to match Inter Miami's record of one win, thus triggering extra time or penalties.

Inter Miami will be at home for the final leg, as they won the Supporters' Shield for the best regular season record.

Lionel Messi pictured during the MLS Cup match between Atalanta United and Inter Miami -
Getty

Advert

A similar system is used across American sport, with Major League Baseball (MLB) going up to a best-of-seven series in their postseason semi-final, while the World Series final is also a best-of-seven play-off.

And in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the top 16 drivers are split from the rest of the field - in terms of the championship - and compete for the Sprint Cup in the final 10 races of the season, with four drivers being eliminated from each of the three three-race rounds before the final.

So while most fans of American sport will be familiar with those concept, those watching the MLS Playoffs for the first time this season were shocked at finding it out.

Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: "Nah just discovered after two legs they have a third leg in MLS."

Advert

Another wrote: "Tf is a third leg in football."

A third said: "They play two legs then play a third because it was level???"

A fourth stated: "Three game series what a joke."

Featured Image Credit: Apple

Topics: Inter Miami, Lionel Messi, Major League Soccer

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • 2 hours ago

    Erik ten Hag suffers humiliating defeat in first Bayer Leverkusen game and everyone is saying the same thing

    Erik ten Hag got off to the worst possible start at Bayer Leverkusen when they faced Flamengo's Under 20 side in Rio de Janeiro.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Arsenal accidentally leak new signing that nobody knew about after announcing Noni Madueke

    Arsenal announced the signing of Noni Madueke but accidentally leaked another addition to Mikel Arteta's squad.

    Football
  • 3 hours ago

    Alexander Isak gives 'green light' for staggering transfer as agent 'begins talks' with shock club

    Alexander Isak's agent is in talks over a shock move away from Newcastle United.

    Football
  • 4 hours ago

    Manchester City plotting shock move for England star as Fabrizio Romano drops bombshell on transfer

    Word on Manchester City's potential sixth signing of the summer has emerged courtesy of Fabrizio Romano.

    Football
  • Inter Miami are being allowed to break MLS rule thanks to Lionel Messi
  • Lionel Messi in talks to join shock club from Inter Miami and he could earn more than Cristiano Ronaldo
  • Lionel Messi helps young fan after he invades pitch during Inter Miami's MLS clash against Charlotte FC
  • Atlanta United aim savage dig at David Beckham after beating Inter Miami and Lionel Messi