Inter Miami defeats New York City FC 5-1 to win Eastern Conference title, advances to MLS Cup Final
Inter Miami CF secured their first Eastern Conference title Saturday, defeating New York City FC 5-1 behind a hat-trick from Tadeo Allende, advancing to the MLS Cup Final.
November 29, 2025 - 08:21 PM ET • 2 min read
Inter Miami CF secured their first Eastern Conference championship Saturday, defeating New York City FC (NYCFC) 5-1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The victory earns Inter Miami a spot in the Major League Soccer Cup Final, marking the club's first appearance in the league's championship match.
The decisive win was spearheaded by forward Tadeo Allende, who scored a hat-trick. Allende, described by sources as the player of the match, scored his third goal in the 89th minute, converting a pass from Yannick Bright with a right-footed shot to seal the 5-1 rout. Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia added the other two goals for the home side, which is managed by Javier Mascherano. NYCFC managed one goal, scored by Haak.
Silvetti's goal came via an assist from Lionel Messi. Segovia's goal, the fourth of the night, was assisted by Jordi Alba. While Messi, who won the Golden Boot as the league's top scorer and earned recognition as the season's best player, was on the field, sources noted that he played a supporting role in the conference final victory, with the team not needing to rely on his individual performance to secure the four-goal advantage.
Goalkeeper Rocco RÃos Novo was also highlighted for making key saves during the match, particularly at crucial moments, helping Inter Miami maintain control of the scoreline.
By winning the Eastern Conference, Inter Miami advances to the MLS Cup Final, which is scheduled for next Saturday in Florida. They will face the winner of the Western Conference Final between San Diego FC and Vancouver Whitecaps.
Inter Miami finished the regular season third in the overall table with 65 points, having advanced through the playoffs by defeating Nashville and Cincinnati. NYCFC finished fifth in the regular season with 56 points, eliminating Charlotte and Philadelphia en route to the conference final. The match was played in front of a packed crowd at Chase Stadium, fulfilling expectations as the club took a crucial step toward reaching the MLS Cup final for the first time in club history.