NYCFC defeats Inter Miami to advance to second round of MLS playoffs
Defending MLS Cup champions New York City Football Club defeated Inter Miami 3-0 under torrential rain to advance to the second round of the playoffs. NYCFC will travel to CF Montreal on Sunday for a berth in the conference semifinals.
The first half was controlled by NYCFC but Inter Miami held their own and surely must’ve felt confident with the 0-0 scoreline after 45 minutes of play. In the 22nd minute, Miami thought they had provided the first shock of the MLS playoffs when Gonzalo Higuaín beat NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson with a cool finish from close range. Instead, Higuaín was ruled offside and NYCFC woke up from a flat start.
Created by Rodriguez. Finished by Pereira.#NYCFC with an emphatic opener!#NYCvMIA // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/KEjRF9VTge
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 18, 2022
Four minutes later, NYCFC center forward Heber had his deft chip cleared off the line and off the crossbar. Miami defender then pinged the ricochet off his own post, narrowly avoiding a disastrous own goal. NYCFC had carved up Inter Miami’s defense and while chaotic play kept Inter Miami alive, it also foreshadowed what would ultimately doom the visitors. The opening goal came after a Maxi Moralez hopeful long ball was mistimed by Inter Miami centerbacks Damion Lowe and Aime Mabika.
The two defenders ran into each other, which allowed NYFC attacking midfielder Santiago Rodríguez to control the ball briefly before finding his Brazilian teammate Gabriel Pereira unmarked. Pereira settled the ball on his favored left foot and provided a spectacular finish to give NYCFC the lead.
New York doubled their lead seven minutes later through Maxi Moralez.
The diminutive Argentine playmaker latched onto a back heel from Rodríguez inside Miami’s penalty area and beat Miami goalkeeper Drake Callendar with a tidy finish. It was a goal that deflated an Inter Miami team that had overachieved in securing a spot in the playoffs. Heber, another of NYCFC’s Brazilians, capitalized on a bad giveaway in Miami’s defensive third of the field and beat a helpless Callendar.
Initially, the match was a physical, choppy affair that allowed Miami to stay in the game. But in the end, NYCFC’s attacking quality was the difference. After a sluggish first 20 minutes of play, NYCFC regained control of the match and outclassed an overmatched Inter Miami side.
That’s a beauty, @NYCFC.
Maxi Moralez caps a team move to make it ✌️!#NYCvMIA // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/GNICHq5aSt
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 18, 2022
Monday night’s match was moved to CitiField, the home of the New York Mets because the Yankees were hosting the Cleveland Guardians in their pivotal Game 5 of division series. It was the unnatural setting for Higuaín’s final professional match. The 34-year-old announced his retirement on October 3 after leading Inter Miami during their improbable run towards the playoffs.
After the final whistle blew, an emotional Higuaín dropped to one knee under the realization that his career had come to an end.
Gonzalo Higuaín left it all on the pitch after his last game ever 👏
🎥 @FOXSoccer | #InterMiamiCFpic.twitter.com/kEd8DsFRYp
— The Athletic Soccer (@TheAthleticSCCR) October 18, 2022
Higuaín had forced Johnson to make an acrobatic diving save in the second half, but the Argentine striker was relatively ineffective on Monday. He ends his 67-match MLS career with 29 goals and 14 assists.
(Photo: Mark Smith / USA Today)
