Miami won 2-0, playoff ticket locked
Inter Miami secured a place in the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) playoff after defeating New York City FC (NYCFC) 2-0 at Nu Stadium, Miami Gardens, on Wednesday night local time or Thursday (15/10/2026) GMT.
The home victory goal was scored by German Berterame in the 20th minute and Rodrigo De Paul in the fifth minute injury time of the first half (45+5). Kiper Dayne St. Clair became the hero at the end of the match by defeating the penalties of Nicolas Fernandez, ensuring the second straight clean sheet for Miami.
Messi is involved in two goals
Lionel Messi returned as the main creator of Miami victory. At the first goal, Messi controlled the ball outside the penalty box and passed to De Paul, who sent a diagonal cross-feed to Luis Suarez on the goal line; Suarez then drove the ball to Berterame who followed him from close distance. It was the first goal for Berterame since May and his eighth goal this season.
The second goal was born from a quick back attack.Therame carried the ball across the middle line, Messi pulled three opponent defenders before knocking the ball with the outside of his left leg to De Paul, who dropped a tough shot to the upper corner of goalkeeper Matt Freese.
This is Miami’s first consecutive win since July, as well as coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez’s second since taking over the team on September 16.
Miami Street holds the title
With 52 points, Miami ranks second in the Eastern Region and is sure to win the wild-card round with five remaining games. This is the third playoff ticket in a row for The Herons.
Miami won the MLS Cup last season by defeating Vancouver. For Messi, the season was full: he brought Argentina to the second consecutive World Cup final, then announced his retirement from the national team a month later.
For NYCFC, this defeat extends their bad trend: only one win in the last 11 MLS matches. They even failed to score entertainment goals after Nicolas Fernandez's penalty kick was struck by St. Clair. NYCFC is now defending in the middle board with 33 points and still has to fight to capture the remaining two play-in seats.
