Atlanta United overcame Inter Miami CF 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday evening, thanks to Josef Martinez's match-winning goal with little over 15 minutes remaining. With three games remaining until the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, Atlanta's win assured they finished the night above the Eastern Conference line, as they presently sit in sixth place. Miami's playoff aspirations are on life support, as they sit six points out of eighth place with two games remaining.

Miami took the lead immediately after the half-hour mark when Video Review concluded that Brad Guzan's cleat touched the foot of Lewis Morgan inside the box on a bid for the ball, sabotaging Atlanta's playoff hopes while bolstering their own. Gonzalo Higuain then scored from the penalty spot to give his team a 1-0 lead. Atlanta, though, equalized just before the hour mark when Ezequiel Barco earned a free-kick well beyond the area. Luiz Araujo was called upon, and he responded with a powerful attempt that looked to take a tiny deflection before finding its way past Nick Marsman to bring the hosts back into the game.

With 20 minutes remaining, Atlanta thought to have made it 2-1 as Martinez headed a superb cross goalward. Martinez, though, was judged offside, a ruling that was affirmed by Video Review. But it didn't matter since Atlanta tied the game 2-1 only minutes later. Martinez was onside this time and completed a 1-v-1 opportunity beyond Marsman as the Five Stripes seized the lead after a nice buildup culminated with Araujo sliding an inch-perfect pass through to him.

Miami was in desperation mode, their already shaky playoff hopes having been shattered, but Guzan came up with a huge save in the 89th minute to deny Robbie Robinson's try for an equalizer. Atlanta needed this win following a late equalizer in a 1-1 tie with New York City FC in their last match. They know, though, that on Saturday, their final home game of the regular season, they'll have to take control of the game against a Toronto FC side aiming to spoil the party.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Rachel Pearce]