Inter Miami secured their place in the MLS playoffs after defeating New York City FC, in a match where Argentine star Lionel Messi was a key driver.
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With this victory, Argentine coach Cristian "Kelly" Gonzalez continued his successful start, achieving his second consecutive win since taking over the job last month, raising Inter Miami's tally to 52 points in second place, behind Nashville, the leader with 66 points, thus guaranteeing qualification to the playoffs before five rounds before the end of the season.
Mexican Germán Berterame opened the scoring in the 20th minute, ending a goal drought that had lasted since last May, after an exchange of passes between Messi, De Paul and Uruguayan Luis Suárez, before the ball reached him and he put it into the net.
In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Argentine Rodrigo De Paul doubled the score with a second goal, taking advantage of a quick counter-attack led by Berterame, before Messi passed the ball to his compatriot who powerfully shot it into the top of the net.
In the second half, New York City FC tried to get back into the game, but Inter Miami's defense and goalkeeper held firm. Goalkeeper Matt Friese made a brilliant save in the 90th minute, denying a dangerous shot from De Paul, before Canadian goalkeeper Dane St. Clair saved his team from conceding a goal in stoppage time by saving a penalty.
Inter Miami thus achieved their second consecutive clean sheet, after failing to do so in their previous ten matches.
Gonzalez expressed his satisfaction with the improvement in his team's performance, noting that the players showed defensive solidity and the ability to stop counter-attacks, while acknowledging that the team still needs to improve in some aspects, particularly the speed of ball movement.
Second place gives Inter Miami the advantage of playing the playoff games at home, an important step in their quest to compete for the MLS title this season.
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