Inter Miami welcomes Atlanta United FC to Chase Stadium Saturday for the finale of their best-of-3 first-round playoff series. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook'

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated in the opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs in a stunning upset, losing 3-2 at home to ninth-seeded Atlanta United on Saturday at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami has played Atlanta five times this year, and won just once, 2-1 in the playoff opener at home. Atlanta beat Miami 3-1 back in May, they tied 2-2 in September, and Atlanta stunned Miami on Saturday to force Game 3 with an extra-time game winner by Xande Silva before a crowd of 68,455 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Lionel Messi's goal of winning the MLS Cup title came to an abrupt end on Saturday with Inter Miami suffering a shock first-round elimination

BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta United hosts Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference finals. United is 11-10-7 against Eastern Conference opponents. United ranks third in the Eastern Conference drawing 187 corner kicks, averaging 5.5 per game.

Atlanta United ousted Messi and Major League Soccer’s biggest-spending team earlier than anyone imagined from the MLS Cup playoffs. Jamal Thiaré scored twice, Bartosz Slisz's header in the 76th minute was the winner,

Jamal Thiaré scored twice, Bartosz Slisz’s header in the 76th minute was the winner, and Atlanta got a 3-2 win to eliminate the league's Supporters Shield winners.

D espite winning the Supporters' Shield and setting a new record for points in a season with 74, Inter Miami are on the brink of being eliminated in the first round of the playoff