Inter Miami host Atlanta United in MLS clash delayed by storms
Second-placed Inter Miami hosted struggling Atlanta United on Saturday in a Major League Soccer fixture whose kickoff at Nu Stadium in Fort Lauderdale was delayed by thunderstorms and lightning.
The match and the delay
Inter Miami and Atlanta United met in round 23 of the 2026 Major League Soccer season on Saturday, September 5. According to Bolavip, the scheduled kickoff at Nu Stadium in Fort Lauderdale was delayed due to heavy rain and a lightning storm, with no confirmed new start time announced at the time of reporting. MLS weather protocol requires play to be suspended whenever lightning is detected within an 8-mile (roughly 13 km) radius of the stadium, with a 30-minute countdown that resets after every new strike within that radius. Weather delays are not unusual for Inter Miami, which has previously been affected in a 2023 match against Orlando City and during a 2026 Leagues Cup game against Atlético de San Luis.
Form heading into the game
Per OneFootball, Inter Miami entered the match in second place in the MLS standings with 42 points from 22 games (12 wins, 6 draws, 4 losses), coming off a 7-1 home win over Montreal Impact. The squad had no reported injuries, with Lionel Messi leading the attack after scoring 18 goals and providing nine assists this season; Luis Suárez has also contributed 10 goals in 18 appearances.
Atlanta United, by contrast, sat 13th with 21 points (6 wins, 3 draws, 13 losses) and had just seen a three-match winning streak end with a 2-0 loss to Charlotte FC. Their away form has been particularly poor, with only two wins in nine road matches. A. Miranchuk has been their standout performer, with five goals and six assists.
Atlanta's reinforcements
As reported by MLSsoccer.com, the match marked the expected MLS debut of new signing Breel Embolo, a Swiss international striker reportedly signed for around $18 million. Atlanta have also added defenders Júnior Alonso and Paulo Díaz this summer, midfielder Mauricio Amaro, and Argentine loanee Giuliano Galoppo from River Plate. The club is hoping the new arrivals can help turn around a season in which Atlanta have scored fewer goals (25) than any other Eastern Conference side.
Head-to-head record
According to OneFootball, Inter Miami hold a narrow edge in the last ten meetings between the sides, with five wins to Atlanta's four and one draw; those matches have averaged four goals per game. Pre-match analysis favored Inter Miami as the likely winners. BBC also published the confirmed starting lineups and match officials, with Jon Freemon appointed as referee.
