New York City FC are eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoffs in the Eastern Conference Final, after a disastrous second half against Inter Miami, surrendering three goals and missing key chances. City entered the game missing two major players in Alonso Martinez and Andres Perea. However, they did have Aiden O’Niell back and the confidence from their 1-0 win over Supporters Shield winners Philadelphia Union one week prior.
The first half was a disjoined affair where both teams took advantage of key moments in order to get their goals. it started in the 14th minute when Tadeo Allende took a shot from the right side of the box, beating goalkeeper Matt Freese. From there NYC found it difficult to establish their possession-based game and thus surrendered the game’s second goal less than 10 minutes later, once again to Allende. This time it was a connection between the veterans Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba that opened up the NYC defense. Allende made himself available to take advantage and double the score.
City didn’t take the situation lightly and responded before the half with a ball from club legend Maxi Moralez. It found the head of defender Justin Haak for NYC’s only goal. The rest of the half saw both sides struggling to establish themselves and looking for halftime in order to regroup.
NYC had their chances in the second half on a few occasions. Miami had difficulties with key passes, giving City chances at goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo. Unfortunately for City they were unable to put the ball on net or found that Novo was up for to the task. This allowed Miami to worry about their offense in transition, finding goals from Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia to put the game out of reach. Allende capped off the performance with a late hat trick goal to seal the club’s first MLS Cup appearance.
NYC will depart the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs with their heads down but having fought their way past major issues. Not only did they lose their leading striker and dynamic midfield but also faced massive odds away from home against Charlotte and Philadelphia. While the season ends in bitter defeat, there is much to look forward to for the club in 2025.
New York City FC: Freese; Haak, Martins, Gustavo, O’Neill, Gray, Shore (46′ Wolf), Moralez (90′ Reid), O’Toole, Ojeda (60′ J. Fernandez), N. Fernandez
Inter Miami FC: Novo; Weigandt (57′ Fray), Falcon, Busquets, Allen (57′ Bright), Alba, Silvetti (83′ Suarez), De Paul, Rodriguez (72′ Segovia), Allende, Messi
SCORING SUMMARY:
14′ (Inter Miami) Tadeo Allende unassisted
23′ (Inter Miami) Tadeo Allende assisted by Jordi Alba & Sergio Busquets
37′ (NYCFC) Justin Haak assisted by Maxi Moralez
68′ (Inter Miami) Mateo Silvetti assisted by Lionel Messi & Jordi Alba
83′ (Inter Miami) Telasco Segovia assisted by Jordi Alba
89′ (Inter Miami) Tadeo Allende assisted by Tannick Bright
DISCIPLINE:
20′ (NYCFC) Maxi Moralez – YELLOW CARD
22′ (Inter Miami) Marcelo Weigandt – YELLOW CARD
31′ (NYCFC) Nico Fernandez – YELLOW CARD
33′ (Inter Miami) Noah Allen – YELLOW CARD
65′ (NYCFC) Kevin O’Toole – YELLOW CARD
70′ (Inter Miami) Baltasar Rodriguez – YELLOW CARD
73′ (NYCFC) Justin Haak – YELLOW CARD
87′ (Inter Miami) Yannick Bright – YELLOW CARD
photo by Jordan Bank