Inter Miami CF Goals: Germán Berterame 20’, Rodrigo De Paul 45+5’
New York City FC fell to a 2-0 defeat to Inter Miami CF on Wednesday night. Goals from Germán Berterame and Rodrigo De Paul handed the Herons a first-half lead at Nu Stadium, before Nico Fernández Mercau saw a penalty saved late on, as the reigning MLS Cup winners Miami secured a place in the 2026 Playoffs.
The Boys in Blue headed south for their second game of the week for a meeting with the defending champions.
Head Coach Pascal Jansen opted for one change from the side that faced the Chicago Fire on Saturday, as Bénie Traoré replaced Hannes Wolf. Agustín Ojeda retained his place in the starting XI, having been substituted as per concussion protocol at Soldier Field, while Alonso Martínez also kept his place in the attack.
Meanwhile, in the knowledge a victory could clinch a playoff spot for the hosts, Miami Head Coach Cristian González named an unchanged XI from their 4-0 weekend triumph over D.C. United. Lionel Messi spearheaded a three-pronged attack alongside Luis Suárez and Berterame for the league’s top goalscorers, after Messi and Suárez had each netted a brace last time out.
The early exchanges bore little in terms of goalmouth action, as both sides looked to gain a foothold in the game.
The visitors crafted the first effort on goal on nine minutes, as Fernández Mercau attempted a low drive from range, which was comfortable for Miami shot-stopper Dayne St. Clair.
Heeding the warning, the home side rallied, drawing an excellent save from Matt Freese to deny Sergio Reguilón. A Messi through-ball sent Gonzalo Luján clear down the right, and the defender clipped a cross to the backpost for the onrushing Reguilón to power a header goalward, only for Freese to thwart superbly with a strong arm.
New York responded well, looking to put the hosts’ defense under pressure. Martínez chased down a defense-splitting pass from Tayvon Gray, looking to round the ‘keeper, only for Micael dos Santos to divert the ball for a corner.
Aiden O’Neill then tried his luck but saw his shot blocked before skewing the rebound high and wide.
The deadlock was broken on the 20-minute mark, courtesy of a well-worked Miami move. Reguilón floated a cross to the edge of the box where Messi lurked. The Argentine found De Paul, who chipped into the path of Suárez, and the Uruguayan slid the ball across the six-yard box for Berterame to convert.
Searching for a quickfire equalizer, New York looked to threaten down the flanks. A neat one-two in the center between Andres Perea and Martínez opened up the Miami defense, unleashing Traoré on the left. The Ivorian flashed in a wicked delivery, and the ball fell to O’Neill, whose side-footed strike ricocheted kindly for St. Clair to claim.
Turning up the heat, Miami sought a second. Messi volleyed over, before crossing for Reguilón, who headed wide, in what had looked to be the last major action of the half.
New York instead pressed for a late leveler. Fernández Mercau tested St. Clair with a swerving drive from distance, which proved awkward for the goalkeeper but was gathered at the second attempt.
As the visitors piled on the pressure in first-half added time, Miami struck again on the counter attack in the final seconds. Defense turned into attack as dos Santos played through to Berterame. The Mexico forward found Messi, who cut the ball back for compatriot De Paul, and the 32-year-old unleashed an unstoppable effort past Freese to double the advantage.
The second 45 started in a similar fashion to the first, with neither goalkeeper tested early on – Traoré’s dragged shot on 63’ the only chance of note.
Chasing a route back into the contest, Head Coach Jansen introduced Luighi, Kevin O’Toole and Hannes Wolf in place of Traoré, Martínez and Nico Cavallo, but with neither side able to gain control, chances arrived at a premium.
Eager to extend Miami’s lead, Messi curled over the crossbar, while St. Clair was equal to another Fernández Mercau effort at the other end.
New York’s best chance of the half thus far arrived with nine minutes of normal time to go. Patient build-up on the left created an opportunity for O’Toole to whip in a dangerous cross. Luighi rose well to meet it but was unable to direct his header on target, and the ball bounced agonizingly wide of the near post.
Freese was called into action late on, and did well to keep his side in the game with two fine stops, thwarting Messi with a smart low save before brilliantly tipping De Paul’s curler onto the woodwork. As the game reached its dying embers, Riquelme Fillipi also struck the post.
New York were handed the chance to halve the deficit from the penalty spot with the game’s final attack, after Talles Magno – returning to action from the bench late on – was upended by Ian Fray.
Fernández Mercau stepped up to take the spot-kick but watched St. Clair push his effort onto the post and wide, summing up the visitors’ night, and Miami claimed the points.
New York City FC return to Queens on Saturday, October 17, welcoming LAFC to Citi Field in a 7:30PM ET kickoff.