NYCFC Faces Tough Loss Against Inter Miami

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — New York City FC was reminded in a harsh way that Inter Miami is more than just Lionel Messi.

During the Eastern Conference Finals in South Florida, Tadeo Allende netted three goals, and Matteo Silvetti added another, leading to a 5-1 defeat for NYCFC. Despite the loss, they managed to secure a point.

The absence of their top scorer, Alonso Martinez, was clearly felt. NYCFC struggled to capitalize on three key opportunities in the second half that might have leveled the score.

Justin Haak scored NYCFC’s solitary goal, while Matt Freese experienced conceding multiple goals in a match for the first time since the regular season’s last game on October 18.

This match marked the first time in the playoffs that NYCFC conceded a first goal.

It was the second occasion in 2025 that their goalkeeper let in four goals against Inter Miami.

Though the coaches and players refrained from viewing their swift ascent as mere luck or themselves as underdogs, they managed to catch many MLS fans off guard by knocking out Charlotte FC in the first round and defeating the Philadelphia Union, who were the Supporters’ Shield winners, in the conference semifinals.

Now, as they transition into the offseason, NYCFC is focused on re-signing Haak, appointing a new athletic director, and grappling with the ongoing absence of Martinez.

Reflecting on the match against Inter Miami, the team might be left pondering what might have been. After halftime, with the score at 2-1, NYCFC had a promising opportunity, but too many passes inside the box squashed the chance.

In the 48th minute, Agustín Ojeda’s shot was denied by Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo. Following that, Miami quickly scored three more goals, turning the tide against NYCFC, particularly after Julián Fernandez’s missed chance in the 66th minute.

Silvetti found the net just a minute later, pushing the score to 3-1, and then Telasco Segovia added another in the 83rd minute. Allende capped off his hat trick with a final goal in the 89th minute.

In the early minutes of the game, NYCFC did its best to hold back Inter Miami, but ultimately, Miami’s talent pierced through Freese’s defenses throughout the playoffs.

Shortly after a missed free kick by Messi, Allende surged ahead, scoring the first goal.

Sergio Busquets played a long ball that NYCFC’s center-back, Raul Gustavo, mismanaged, allowing Allende to seize the ball in the box and launch a powerful shot into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Less than a decade later, Allende struck again, flicking the ball past Freese and into the corner after a threatening cross from Jordi Alba extended Miami’s lead.

Haak, a Brooklyn native, kept NYCFC in the otherwise daunting game by scoring his first playoff goal in the 37th minute, heading in a free kick from Maxi Morales over Rios Novo.