New York City FC approached their home game against Inter Miami at Citi Field with confidence. Occupying fourth place and boasting five victories in their previous six matches, NYCFC appeared well-positioned for the MLS Cup playoffs. The initial half of the game was tightly contested, and even as the match neared its conclusion, they remained just a single goal behind.
However, the next 13 minutes would dramatically alter the game`s trajectory.
In a rapid 13-minute span, from the 73rd to the 86th minute, Inter Miami extended their 1-0 lead to a commanding 4-0. This remarkable surge was a direct result of New York City FC`s defensive disintegration and Lionel Messi`s captivating display. Playing to a sold-out Queens crowd, the World Cup winner netted two goals during this decisive period. His first was a sublime chip over U.S. national team goalkeeper Matt Freese, following a brilliant pass through traffic from Sergio Busquets. Messi`s second goal, just minutes later, showcased his individual brilliance as he won possession on the right flank, bypassed multiple defenders, and slotted the ball home from within the penalty area.
Messi`s extraordinary skill starkly contrasted with NYCFC`s sudden vulnerability. Any resilience they had shown for the first 73 minutes evaporated in the game`s closing stages, as Miami`s attack, resembling a relentless pink wave, overwhelmed them. This was particularly evident in Messi`s second goal, where he effortlessly dissected their defense after being inadvertently given possession.
`Considering the last 15 minutes where the accuracy on our side was getting worse and as I mentioned, we got punished for those moments as well,` NYCFC head coach Pascal Jensen said post-match. `If you look at the last goal that Messi scored, we`re in possession in a build-up phase and just hand it over in a turnover and it`s a goal so that makes it hard.`
Ironically, Jensen had attempted to alter the game`s momentum with two substitutions in the 73rd minute, introducing midfielder Jonathan Shore and forward Julian Fernandez. However, his strategic move did not yield the desired outcome.
Jensen clarified that his intention behind the substitutions was to inject more offensive power, take calculated risks, and provide rest for Thiago Martins, who had exerted significant effort in previous matches.
While the late collapse heavily influenced NYCFC`s defeat, their earlier lack of clinical finishing also played a significant role. Statistics revealed a competitive game in some aspects, but Miami demonstrated greater efficiency: they registered four shots on target compared to NYCFC`s one, and boasted 0.92 expected goals against the hosts` 0.61. This disparity in effectiveness was evident throughout the match, with the late goals merely amplifying Miami`s superior finishing.
`One of the things was very outspoken in the preparation for this game — you have to be very clinical in the finishing moments because the quality on the other side is that high that if you give them an opportunity to get back in the game or get ahead of you, it`s going to be tough,` Jensen said. `That`s part of the conversation now because we were not clinical enough in a few moments and simply didn`t have the intensity anymore to be good on the ball and make sure we attacked all spaces with accuracy.`
While this result isn`t necessarily a dire sign for NYCFC, it unequivocally solidifies Inter Miami`s standing as one of MLS`s elite teams. With this victory, Miami secured a playoff berth and re-entered contention for the Supporters` Shield. They now sit just five points behind league leaders Philadelphia Union, with two crucial games in hand. Despite this, coach Javier Mascherano maintains a focused, game-by-game approach.
`We are happy now because we are official[ly] qualified for the playoffs so that was very important for us and now we have to continue moving forward,` Mascherano said. `We know that we have two games in hand so we will try now to rest, to recover and go into Toronto [FC]. We know how difficult [it] will be [on] Saturday because we have less than 72 hours to play but we are trying to play our best, trying to win the game and trying to qualify as high as possible. If we can win the next five games that we have, [it] will be great and we`ll have [the] chance to fight for Supporters` Shield but we cannot think about the five games. We need to think about Toronto, trying to recover the people, the players and trying to go to Saturday to play a good game. Always, I say the most important game that we have is the next one and we are focused on that.`
