MIAMI -- Inter Miami CF clinched a spot in the 2026 MLS playoffs after beating New York City FC 2-0 at Nu Stadium on Wednesday night.
Germán Berterame scored the first goal of the match, working off an assist from Luis Suárez to tap the ball past NYCFC goalkeeper Matthew Freese. He broke his scoreless streak, reaching the back of the net for the first time since May 24 against the Philadelphia Union.
Rodrigo De Paul then doubled the score in the first half, connecting with Lionel Messi just outside the box before rocketing the ball into the upper left corner. Messi currently leads the Golden Boot rankings with 23 goals, and tops the lists for most assists so far during the regular season with 14.
The captain's efforts helped move Inter Miami up to second place in the Eastern Conference table with 52 points in 29 games. Nashville SC is in first place with the most points in MLS.
"Well, [qualifying for the playoffs] was one of the club's initial goals for the season, and we're there, but we still need to keep improving as a team," Miami coach Cristian 'Kily' González said after the game.
NYCFC, which sits just outside the playoff spots, had a chance at a late goal from the penalty spot but Miami keeper Dayne St. Clair came up with a big save to keep a clean sheet on the night.
The Herons return to the playoffs after lifting the 2025 MLS Cup, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 at Inter Miami Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Miami missed the playoffs in 2023 in Messi's first year, before going on to qualify for the postseason in each of the past three seasons.
Wednesday's victory came after Miami routed DC United 4-0 last Saturday on a pair of goals from Messi and Suárez, and it was the second league win for new coach González, who took over Sept. 16.
"When you have players who are willing to buy into the vision you're trying to implement, everything becomes easier," González added. "We recognize the mistakes we've been making, or are still making, and we address them during training. And really, that willingness makes it much easier to convey clear concepts."
It has been a rollercoaster year for Messi, who led Argentina to a second straight World Cup final and announced his retirement from international soccer a month later. Now, he has a chance to cap it with another trophy.
"This is a club that looks after him and protects him," González said about Messi. "His teammates show him constant affection. They go all out for him and give everything they have. He pushes us to be better every single day and challenges us."
NYCFC hosts LAFC in its next game while Miami plays away at Atlanta United. Both games are on Saturday.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.