MIAMI — Inter Miami CF clinched a spot in the 2026 MLS playoffs after beating New York City FC 2-0 at Nu Stadium on Wednesday night.
Germán Berterame scored the first goal of the match, working off an assist from Luis Suárez to tap the ball past NYCFC goalkeeper Matthew Freese. He broke his scoreless streak, reaching the back of the net for the first time since May 24 against the Philadelphia Union.
Rodrigo De Paul then doubled the score in the first half, connecting with Lionel Messi just outside the box before rocketing the ball into the upper left corner. Messi currently leads the Golden Boot rankings with 23 goals, and tops the lists for most assists so far during the regular season with 14.
NYCFC, which sits just outside the playoff spots, had a chance at a late goal from the penalty spot but Miami keeper Dayne St. Clair came up with a big save to keep a clean sheet on the night.
The captain’s efforts helped move Inter Miami up to second place in the Eastern Conference table with 52 points in 29 games. Nashville SC is in first place with the most points in MLS.
The Herons return to the playoffs after lifting the 2025 MLS Cup, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 at Inter Miami Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Miami missed the playoffs in 2023 in Messi’s first year, before going on to qualify for the postseason in each of the past three seasons.
