Inter Miami face Atlanta United on Saturday in what could be a huge match for the Florida franchise.
Having won last Friday in the MLS play-off opener, Inter Miami are now one win away from making the Eastern Conference semi-finals, with the Herons traveling to Atlanta with an almost fully fit squad including Lionel Messi.
With Luis Suarez hailing Jordi Alba after Inter Miami’s win last week, Tata Martino’s side are in great form heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium this weekend, where 70,000 fans are expected to watch Messi and company.
Yet one Inter Miami player has now been highlighted as the main threat for the Herons.
Diego Gomez backed to cause Atlanta problems for Inter Miami
Writing for MLS’s official website, expert Matt Doyle noted how Diego Gomez could cause a number of problems for Atlanta, with the Inter Miami midfielder fully fit and back to his best for the Florida franchise.
Gomez was voted the best young player in MLS and is due to join Brighton & Hove Albion next year, and the Paraguay international will want to end his time with Inter Miami with a bang by winning MLS Cup and playing a key role for the Herons.
Doyle wrote heading into Saturday’s game: “I imagine the rhythm and shape of the game will look similar, both with Miami having 60% or more possession, and playing out of that 3-5-2 with Messi and Suarez up top.
“What I would expect, though, is for that Miami line to drop a little bit deeper in order to invite Atlanta upfield with the ball, which then creates room on the counter. If that’s how it plays out, look for Diego Gomez bursting out of midfield when one of the forwards – it’ll be Messi and Suarez up top again – drops in.”
Gomez can be as important as Inter Miami’s superstars in the play-offs
Gomez is one of the best young players in MLS, with the 21-year-old deservedly winning a move to the Premier League after an incredible year with Inter Miami in the central midfield.
And in the play-offs, Gomez could be as important for Inter Miami in their run to MLS Cup than the likes of Messi and Suarez, with the Paraguay international a secret weapon that few clubs can handle.
Indeed, Gomez will want to show why he’s won a move to Brighton this off-season, and the youngster can be key for Inter Miami in their quest to win MLS Cup for the first time in their history.