Inter Miami routs NYCFC, reaches first MLS Cup final
- Jonathan Turner
- 24 hours ago
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Inter Miami is headed to MLS Cup for the first time in club history, propelled by a dominant 5–1 win over New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final on Saturday, Nov. 29.
Tadeo Allende scored a hat trick, tying the MLS postseason record with eight goals during the 2025 playoffs — matching Carlos Ruiz’s 2002 mark. Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia added second-half goals as Miami continued its run toward a first league championship.
Lionel Messi recorded his seventh assist of the postseason on Silvetti’s goal, giving him 13 goal contributions through five playoff matches. The performance keeps Inter Miami’s veteran core — Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets — in contention for one more trophy before Alba and Busquets retire at season’s end.
MLS Cup matchup set
Inter Miami will host the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS Cup on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Chase Stadium (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX and Apple TV). Miami secured home-field advantage after finishing the regular season with a better record than Vancouver, which won the Western Conference final.
Miami dominates from the start
Miami struck early and often. Allende opened the scoring in the 12th minute after controlling a long pass from Busquets. He doubled the lead in the 23rd minute with a header off a service from Alba.
NYCFC cut the deficit to 2–1 in the 37th minute, but Miami quickly restored control. Messi assisted Silvetti in the 67th minute, and Segovia extended the lead to 4–1 in the 83rd off a back-heel setup from Alba. Allende completed his hat trick in stoppage time, sealing the win.
A club transformed
Inter Miami entered the league six seasons ago and previously claimed the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield. Saturday’s victory secures the club’s first MLS Cup appearance after failing to advance beyond the first round in its initial five postseason trips.
Since Messi’s arrival in 2023 — when Miami was mired in an 11-match winless streak — the club has shifted into a global brand. His impact has extended to ticket sales, worldwide merchandise demand and back-to-back MVP-caliber seasons. A new stadium near Miami International Airport is slated to open next year, and Messi remains under contract through 2028.
What’s at stake
A win in MLS Cup would deliver Messi his 47th major trophy for club and country. It would also give Inter Miami its most significant championship to date, capping a postseason run built on star power, experience and a goal-scoring surge from Allende.
MLS Cup 2025
Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Location: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Broadcast: FOX, Apple TV
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