Inter Miami CF (14W-5L-10D, 52 points) secured a 2-0 win at home tonight over New York City FC to clinch a spot in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs with six regular season games in hand. With its qualification, the Club is set to feature in the postseason for a third consecutive season and fifth time overall.
First-half goals from forward Germán Berterame and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul secured the three points for Inter Miami at Nu Stadium, while goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair delivered another solid performance between the sticks to record a second consecutive clean sheet.
Lineup Notes
Inter Miami took the field with St. Clair in goal; Gonzalo Luján, Casemiro, Micael, Sergio Reguilón formed the back four; Rodrigo De Paul, David Ayala, and Matías Galarza started in midfield; captain Leo Messi, Suárez, and Berterame led the team in attack.
Match Action
Inter Miami had an early chance in the 12th minute, with a dangerous header from Reguilón from inside the box following a cross from Luján from the right ultimately being saved by NYCFC’s goalkeeper.
The hosts found the opener in the 20th minute through a fantastic passing sequence that was capped off by an assist from Suárez to find Berterame at the center of the box, where he tucked the ball away with a first-time finish. The goal was Berterame’s eighth this regular season, while the assist took Suárez’s tally to 10 this league campaign.
Inter Miami extended its lead right before the half through another delightful strike in the fifth minute of stoppage, with De Paul being the scorer on this occasion. The Argentine midfield engine received a ball from captain Messi on a central position just outside the box, where he took a touch before burying the ball in the top-left corner with a powerful right-footed hit. The goal was De Paul’s fifth this regular season, while the assist was the 14th for Messi.
The second half saw the home side continue dominating in possession as it searched for another goal. Inter Miami came close to extending its lead in the closing stages, but attempts from De Paul and second-half substitute Riquelme Filippi in stoppage time were denied by the crossbar and left post, respectively.
The final play of the match in the seventh minute of added time presented a key intervention from St. Clair in goal, as the Canadian international goalkeeper saved a penalty from NYCFC's Nicolás Fernández to preserve his clean sheet.
Next Up
Next, Inter Miami will hit the road to take on Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia this Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Stats
Possession:
MIA - 56.2%
NYC - 43.8%
Shots:
MIA - 14
NYC - 14
Saves:
MIA - 4
NYC - 4
Corners:
MIA - 3
NYC - 4
Fouls:
MIA - 14
NYC - 8
