Lionel Messi not in the starting lineup for Inter Miami's game in Atlanta

ATLANTA (AP) — Lionel Messi was not in the starting lineup for Inter Miami's game at Atlanta United on Wednesday night.

With the Herons playing their second of three games within a week, Messi was set to begin the match on the bench. Coach Gerardo Martino had said he didn't want to overwork his star player, who is coming back from an injury with the club in the midst of a busy stretch.

Another key Miami player, Luis Suárez, also was listed in a substitute role for the game that was expected to draw a large crowd to Mercedes-Benz Stadium — largely to see Messi.

He didn't play a year ago when Inter Miami visited Atlanta, disappointing a crowd of 71,635. But he was in the stadium this time around, setting him up to make a possible appearance in the second half.

The 37-year-old Messi made a mesmerizing return to Miami's lineup this past Saturday after a lengthy absence, scoring two goals and assisting on the third in a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union.

Miami has the best record in Major League Soccer and is trying to lock up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Argentine star and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had not played with Inter Miami since June 1 because of national team commitments and a right ankle injury sustained in a 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final on July 14.

“A little bit tired because of the heat and humidity of Miami but I wanted to return so much after such a long time away,” Messi said in Spanish after the game. "I started training with the group and began to feel better.”

Messi scored twice in a four-minute span midway through the first half to negate an early goal by Philadelphia.

Suárez assisted on one of Messi's goals and and clinched the victory with a strike off a Messi assist during second-half stoppage time.

It was Suárez’s 17th goal of the season.

Messi came into Wednesday with 14 goals and 14 assists in league play, despite playing just 13 matches.

AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) its hugged by his teammates after scoring his second goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Philadelphia Union, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Lionel Messi not in the starting lineup for Inter Miami's game in Atlanta

Lionel Messi not in the starting lineup for Inter Miami's game in Atlanta

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks the ball away from Philadelphia Union midfielder Leon Flach (31) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Georgia Tech (3-1, 1-1 ACC) at No. 19 Louisville (2-0, 0-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Louisville by 10 1/2.

Series: Georgia Tech leads 2-1.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Georgia Tech resumes ACC play seeking to rebound and remain in league contention after losing 31-28 two weeks ago at Syracuse. The Yellow Jackets also seek their best five-game start since 5-0 in 2014. They also want their sixth win over a ranked ACC team under coach Brent Key, three weeks after upsetting then- No. 10 Florida State 24-21 in Dublin, Ireland. Louisville opens ACC play after a bye following routs of FCS Austin Peay and Jacksonville State by a combined 111-14 margin. The Cardinals also seek their second consecutive series win against the Yellow Jackets after rallying past them 39-34 last season in Atlanta in Jeff Brohm’s coaching debut.

KEY MATCHUP

Georgia Tech is one of eight FBS teams without a sack allowed, protection that has helped mobile quarterback Haynes King become one of the nation’s top passers. The Yellow Jackets will face their most aggressive pressure yet from a Louisville defense that averages 4.5 sacks per game and has registered 19 tackles for loss, which rank second and fifth, respectively, nationally.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Georgia Tech: Quarterback Haynes King threw three touchdown passes in one half of last week’s 59-7 rout of VMI and has six TDs overall, tied for 26th in FBS. He enters tied for fifth with a 76% completion rate (81 of 106) and a 169.44 efficiency rating.

Louisville: Receiver Ja’Corey Brooks has become a much-needed target after the departures of several playmakers. He leads the team with 13 receptions for 172 yards with one TD, including 89 on six catches against Jacksonville State. The Alabama transfer surpassed 1,000 career yards and has 1,068 total, and ranks third in the ACC with 6.5 catches per game.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Georgia Tech has converted all 14 trips inside the red zone with 13 TDs and a field goal. … The Yellow Jackets have blocked nine kicks in 25 contests since Key began as interim coach in 2022. … Louisville had 610 yards against Jacksonville State, its second-highest total under Brohm. … Linebacker Stanquan Clark has a team-high 11 tackles, including seven solo stops.

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Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King (10) throws from the pocket during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Virginia Military Institute Sunday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Atlanta,. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)