Messi Sets Up De Paul as Inter Miami Beats NYCFC 2-0 and Clinches an MLS Cup Playoff Berth

Inter Miami CF is going back to the MLS Cup Playoffs. Germán Berterame scored in the 20th minute, Rodrigo De Paul doubled the lead on a Lionel Messi assist in first-half stoppage time, and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair saved a penalty in the final minute as the reigning MLS champions beat New York City FC 2-0 on Wednesday night at Nu Stadium in Miami.

The win clinched a postseason berth for the club for the third straight season and the fifth time overall, according to Inter Miami. It also gave Miami back-to-back victories for the first time since July, the Associated Press reported, following Saturday's 4-0 home rout of D.C. United.

How the goals came

Luis Suárez set up the opener. Berterame finished first time from the center of the box, a right-footed shot into the middle of the net, after a passing sequence that ended at Suárez's feet. It was Berterame's eighth league goal of the season and Suárez's 10th league assist, according to the club's match report.

The second goal came on the break with the first half all but over. On a fast break, Messi, wearing the captain's armband, found De Paul, who curled a right-footed shot into the top left corner in the fifth minute of stoppage time. The Argentine midfielder's fifth league goal of the season gave Messi his 14th assist of the campaign, the club said.

Miami nearly added more late. De Paul hit the crossbar in second-half stoppage time and a substitute's shot struck the left post, according to the club's recap.

St. Clair's late penalty save

New York City FC's best chance to get on the board came with the match nearly over. In the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, NYCFC was awarded a penalty, and St. Clair saved Nicolás Fernández Mercau's left-footed attempt toward the bottom left corner, according to ESPN's match log. The save preserved the Canadian international's second consecutive clean sheet.

The match statistics showed a closer game than the scoreline. ESPN's box score credited each side with 14 shots, with Miami putting six on target to NYCFC's five. Miami held 57.2% of possession and completed 600 of 661 passes, while NYCFC sent in 15 crosses to Miami's four. Miami was whistled for 14 fouls to NYCFC's eight, and midfielder Matías Galarza and substitute Riquelme Fillipi were cautioned.

There was an early scare for Miami when play was stopped in the 12th minute for an injury to Suárez, according to ESPN's match log, but the Uruguayan striker continued and finished the match.

The lineup and the new coach

Miami lined up in a 4-3-3 with St. Clair in goal; Gonzalo Luján, Casemiro, Micael and Sergio Reguilón across the back; De Paul, David Ayala and Galarza in midfield; and Messi, Suárez and Berterame up front. Telasco Segovia, Fricio Caicedo, Fillipi and Ian Fray came off the bench.

The victory was the second league win for coach Cristian "Kily" González, who took over on Sept. 16, according to the AP. Miami had gone winless in its four previous league matches before the D.C. United rout, drawing at Chicago and at home against Nashville and San Diego before losing 2-1 at Columbus, according to ESPN's results.

It has been a demanding year for Messi. The AP noted that he led Argentina to its second straight World Cup final this summer and announced his retirement from international soccer about a month later, leaving the club season as his remaining stage for another trophy.

Where Miami stands in the East

The win lifted Inter Miami to 14 wins, 10 draws and five losses, good for 52 points from 29 matches. That is second in the Eastern Conference, according to ESPN's standings, behind runaway leader Nashville SC, which beat Sporting Kansas City 4-0 on Wednesday and sits at 66 points.

The race behind Miami for home-field position remains tight. The top of the Eastern Conference table after Wednesday's matches, according to ESPN:

Wednesday's other Eastern Conference results helped Miami's cushion. Third-place New England won 3-2 at FC Cincinnati, but fourth-place Chicago lost 3-1 at home to Philadelphia and fifth-place Charlotte fell 3-1 at Columbus, according to ESPN's scoreboard. That left Miami three points clear of the Revolution and four ahead of the Fire.

Orlando City, Florida's other MLS club, drew 3-3 at Toronto FC on Wednesday and holds seventh place. New York City FC fell to 8-9-12 with 33 points, 10th in the conference.

A title defense with a new home

Miami's run to the playoffs comes in its first season at Nu Stadium, the club's 26,700-seat home at the Miami Freedom Park development near Miami International Airport, which opened in April and replaced the interim Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The club is defending the first MLS Cup in its history. According to the AP, Miami missed the postseason in 2023, the year Messi arrived, then lost in the first round to Atlanta United in 2024 before beating Vancouver to win the title last season.

What's next

Miami goes straight back on the road. The remaining regular-season schedule, as listed by ESPN:

Saturday's match in Atlanta kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, according to the club. Atlanta United, which knocked Miami out of the 2024 playoffs, beat CF Montréal 3-0 on Wednesday but sits 14th in the East with 30 points. NYCFC hosts LAFC on Saturday.

With a playoff spot secured, Miami's focus shifts to holding second place and the home-field advantage that comes with it, while trying to close the 14-point gap on Nashville with five matches left on the schedule.