Inter Miami vs Atlanta United LIVE Updates - Messi starts in first MLS clash after international retirement

Even as it prepare to introduce its third manager of the season, Inter Miami can rest assured that it will always be a title threat as long as Lionel Messi still is suiting up. After Messi’s first four-goal ‌MLS performance pulled Miami out of a rut, the club concludes a three-match homestand Saturday against Atlanta United.

Inter Miami had gone 0-2-2 to start August ⁠until Messi powered a 7-1 victory over CF Montreal last Saturday with four goals and an assist. The 39-year-old, who recently announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, chipped in his third goal in the ‌83rd minute and scored on a free kick late in stoppage time.

This will be the first meeting of the season between Miami and Atlanta (6-13-3, 21 points), which isn’t ‌out of the playoff race just yet. The bottom nine teams in the East -- seventh place through last -- are separated by only eight points with roughly a third of the season to go.

The Five Stripes rank at the bottom of the conference in scoring with 25 goals. The lack of firepower cropped up again Saturday in a 2-0 loss to Charlotte ‌FC that snapped Atlanta’s three-match winning streak.

The acquisition of Designated Player Breel Embolo could help Atlanta’s cause in the short and long terms. The forward for the Switzerland national team will debut for the ⁠club as soon as he acquires his visa, which could be this week.