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Miami secure play-off spot with win over New York City

Inter Miami 2 – 0 New York City

MIAMI, FL–Inter Miami continued their winning ways to reach the playoffs with a comfortable win against New York City in front of their home fans. It was a welcome result for a side that haven’t been at their best in recent months but showed some good signs as they put the visitors to the sword.

A second clean sheet in as many matches will come as a relief for coach González who had Dayne St. Clair to thank after the big keeper made a great penalty save from the last kick of the game. This was a fixture that Miami were expected to win, but in this game expectations can often mean nothing. However, they performed well and looked defensively much more organised and disciplined.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are both in fine form right now and it was the latter’s pass that found German Berterame who had the simple job of side footing the ball past Matt Freese. This was the big striker’s first goal since May, but after two assists last time out, he now has three goal involvements in two games.

It was a great team goal as the ball was pinged around before Rodrigo De Paul played it over the top to Suarez who played in Berterame. This was an unchanged line up from their thumping of DC last weekend, only the second time this season that Miami have managed to get the same eleven out two games in a row.

That could be a sign that the number of injuries the club has had in recent times are starting to ease, which could be great timing.

New York showed some good endeavour as they searched for an equalizer, but they were left wanting after a swift Miami counterattack at the end of the first half saw the home side double their lead.

Sergio Reguilon found Messi who laid the ball off for De Paul who struck it well to beat Freese and send his side into the break two goals to the good.

Miami have conceded fifty goals this season, higher than average, and they spent much of the second half camped in the New York half as they looked to build on their lead, whilst keeping things tight at the back.

Both sides managed fourteen shots on target but that doesn’t tell the whole story as it was Miami that dominated the match, keeping New York on the back foot throughout.

New York had their chances. Luighi had a great headed opportunity in the last ten minutes. He leapt way above the defence but couldn’t control the header. They pushed hard late in the game, but it was too little too late, and that level of urgency was needed earlier in the game.

Miami struck the woodwork twice late in the game as they looked to add some polish to a good performance and important win.

There was some late drama when Ian Fray gave away a penalty after he caught the toe of Talles Magno, but when Nicolas Fernandez stepped up St. Clair dived the right way and made a great save to protect his clean sheet.

That turned out to be the last kick of the game and Miami celebrated an important win as they confirmed their place in the play offs with six games still to go.

Photos by Edwin Gomez