Jamal Thiaré | Atlanta United

Thiaré concluded the 2024 MLS season with six goals and no assists in 25 games, underwhelming supporters. He entered the decisive third match of the best-of-three playoff series against Inter Miami ready to prove all wrong.

The 31-year-old from Senegal netted Atlanta's equalizer on Saturday night with a right-footed strike from inside the box before earning the Five Stripes their first lead of the night with a second goal just minutes later. The forward broke down Miami's backline alongside Alexey Miranchuk before finding the top of the net.

Thiaré's defiant attitude going forward and perfectly timed runs proved devastating for Inter Miami, leaving Tomás Avilés, David Martínez and Marcelo Weigandt scrambling. Despite a quiet regular-season campaign, the forward accomplished what many before him tried and failed to do so at Chase Stadium.