Inter Miami clinch playoff berth with 2-0 win over NYCFC

Berterame and De Paul strike as Miami seal postseason place

Inter Miami confirmed their place in the MLS Cup Playoffs with a 2-0 victory over New York City FC at Nu Stadium, scoring twice before half-time and surviving a late penalty scare.

Germán Berterame opened the scoring in the 20th minute after a slick move involving Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez. De Paul lifted the ball toward the far post, where Suárez squared it across goal for Berterame to finish from close range.

Messi then supplied the final pass for Miami’s second in first-half stoppage time, finding De Paul on a rapid counter-attack. The midfielder drove home a powerful finish to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.

St. Clair denies NYCFC from the spot

Miami had chances to extend the lead after the interval. NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese kept out Messi in a one-on-one, then got a hand to De Paul’s effort as it struck the post. Riquelme Fillipi also hit the same upright late in the match.

NYCFC were awarded a penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time after Ian Fray tripped Talles Magno in the area. Nicolas Fernandez Mercau’s spot-kick was turned around the post by Dayne St. Clair, preserving Miami’s clean sheet.

Messi extends his run of goal contributions

Messi did not score, but his assist extended his streak of regular-season games with a direct goal contribution to 11. Both teams recorded 14 shots, while Miami led the expected-goals comparison, 2.23 to 1.47; NYCFC’s total was boosted by the late penalty.

The result sends Miami into the postseason for a third consecutive year. NYCFC remain three points outside the playoff places and have won just once in their last 13 matches in all competitions, according to the report.