Inter Miami will play for the MLS Cup for the first time after a staggering 5-1 win over New York City at Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night, a result that sealed the Eastern Conference crown.
Lionel Messi, wearing the captain’s armband, lifted the conference trophy to a roar from home supporters, while co-owner Jorge Mas stood alongside the squad delivering a message that the club hopes will carry them over one final hurdle next weekend.
“This [trophy] is for you, Miami, our fans, ‘La Familia.’ The club made an amazing effort, and it was a great result,” Mas said. “But more importantly, this is one down, one to go. One more.”
The match will be played in South Florida next Saturday, as Inter Miami finished higher than Vancouver in the overall regular-season standings.
Miami secured third place in the East with 65 points, edging the Whitecaps’ 63, earned through their own 3-1 triumph against San Diego to win the Western Conference.
Coach Javier Mascherano expressed the importance of seeing the job through after a historic evening for the young franchise.
“In the final stretch of the season, which, as this tournament is structured, consists of two championships — one being the regular season and the other the playoffs – it’s great that this moment has arrived, reinforcing our conviction to continue along the same path,” he said.
“Because beyond today’s achievement, which will be remembered in the history of this club as conference champions, which is no small feat, the most important thing, the main prize, is this trophy.”
Allende stars as Miami roll into final
Tadeo Allende set the tone early, striking twice inside the opening 23 minutes and sending the stadium into full voice.
NYCFC pulled one back through Justin Haak shortly before the interval, but any chance of a comeback was quickly suffocated by Miami’s defence and Rocco Rios Novo’s handling in goal.
The second half only strengthened Miami’s grip on the contest. Mateo Silvetti stretched the scoreline to 3-1 with help from Messi, who slipped him through to finish calmly.
Telasco Segovia then arrived off the bench to bury a fourth, before Allende capped both his night and Miami’s dominance by completing his hat-trick.
The Argentine forward, on loan from Celta Vigo, finished with eight playoff goals and three multi-goal outings. It was little surprise when he was handed the match award.
Miami’s route to the final included eliminating Nashville and then edging Cincinnati in the semi-final.
Previous postseason campaigns in 2024, 2022 and 2020 ended at the first hurdle, making this breakthrough moment even more significant.
