Inter Miami Crowned Eastern Conference Champion and Advances to the MLS Final
Inter Miami CF has secured its place in the MLS final for the first time in the club’s history, following a resounding 5-1 victory against New York City FC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Herons’ captain, Lionel Messi, lifted the Eastern Conference trophy, while Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas reiterated the team’s message: “one more game”, aiming for glory when the team hosts Vancouver Whitecaps in the final next Saturday.
This trophy is for you, Miami, our fans, ‘The Family’. The club made an incredible effort and it was a great result. But most importantly, this is one down, one to play. One more.
Jorge Mas
Inter Miami will host the MLS final because they finished higher in the overall MLS regular season standings than the Whitecaps. The Herons concluded the regular season in third place in the East with 65 points, while Vancouver, who beat San Diego FC 3-1 on Saturday to win their first Western Conference title at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium, recorded 63 points.Inter Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, commented:
In the final stretch of the season, which, as this tournament is structured, consists of two championships, one being the regular season and the other the playoffs, it’s great that this moment has arrived, reinforcing our conviction to continue on the same path. Because beyond today’s achievement, which will be remembered in the history of this club as conference champions, which is no small feat, the most important thing, the main prize, is this trophy.
Tadeo Allende spearheaded the Herons’ attack in the conference final, scoring two of their three goals in the first 23 minutes. New York initially responded with a goal from Justin Haak just before halftime, but Inter Miami’s defense and goalkeeper, Rocco Ríos Novo, stopped the visiting team’s momentum.
In the second half, Mateo Silvetti, who joined Inter Miami in August, extended Inter Miami’s lead to 3-1 thanks to an assist from Messi. Telasco Segovia added to Inter Miami’s lead, scoring 10 minutes after coming off the bench.
Allende, the 26-year-old Argentinian on loan from Celta de Vigo, was named the player of the match. He scored eight goals in the playoffs, including three multi-goal performances to help Inter Miami reach the final.
The Herons defeated Nashville SC in the first round before triumphing against FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference semi-final. Miami had not managed to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs in 2024, 2022 and 2020.
Tennis player Carlos Alcaraz and some members of the United States women’s national team attended Saturday’s match in Fort Lauderdale.
