Lionel Messi assisted on Jordi Alba's game-winning goal en route to Inter Miami's 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Friday in the first game of the best-of-three first round.
Inter Miami outshot Atlanta United 22-8 (12-2 shots on goal). They also possessed the ball 65.7 percent of the match and had 12 corner kicks to Atlanta United's four.
But the match was tied at one entering halftime.
Luis Suárez got Inter Miami on the scoreboard first in the second minute.
Messi nearly put his team up 2-0 in the 29th minute but hit the post.