MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Falls to New York City FC on the Road

New York landed the first blow in the match, taking the lead in the 13th minute when Valentín ‘Taty’ Castellanos hit a through ball into the box for Maxi Moralez, who slid a low shot from a tight angle into the back of the net to make it 1-0 at Yankee Stadium.

After a strong pair of moments in goal from Callender, Inter Miami began to control more possession and create a number of chances. Notably, a 19th minute transition saw an Higuaín pass find Taylor in stride after a deflection, who then bypassed two defenders with a run into the box before firing a shot from a tight angle that went just wide. 

Gibbs then took a pair of chances to test NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson, first in the 25th minute when he controlled a long switch, clipped a touch past a defender, cut to his right and fired a low shot that drew a diving save. Then, in the 37th minute, Higuaín turned and played a ball into the box for Gibbs, who struck another powerful shot at goal that was saved. Despite the visiting team’s efforts, New York held its 1-0 lead through the halftime whistle.

The hosts, however, struck again at the 75-minute mark; a low cross into the box was deflected, but found Héber at the far post, who knocked it home to double New York’s lead.

Inter Miami made a number of changes in pursuit of a route back into the match, including the returns of Noah Allen, who recently helped lead the U.S. U-20 Men’s Youth National Team to the Concacaf U-20 Championship title and qualification to the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and 2024 Olympics, and Joevin Jones.

Still, Héber’s strike proved to be the final tally in the match, resulting in a tightly-contested road loss for Inter Miami.