For the first time in franchise history, Inter Miami will play for the MLS title. One year removed from being bounced out of the first round, Miami advanced to the MLS Cup on Saturday behind a definitive 5-1 win over New York City FC at home.
Tadeo Allende picked up a stunning hat trick in the win, continuing an incredible postseason run for the Argentine forward. But it was an overall outstanding effort for Miami, which looks completely unstoppable heading into next week’s title game.
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Allende pulled Miami to an early lead behind a first-half brace, scoring in the 14th and 23rd minutes off a stellar shot and a stellar header, respectively. But in the 37th minute, NYCFC took one back, with homegrown talent Justin Haak nailing a header of his own off a free kick.
Emotions were high in the win-or-go-home matchup, and it occasionally became chippy. Referee Jon Freemon gave out eight yellow cards in the matchup, at one point allowing a lengthy stoppage in the first half that quickly devolved into shoving.
Still, it quickly started to feel like Miami’s win was inevitable. Mateo Silvetti seemed to secure the win with a goal in the 67th minute. Then in the 83rd minute, Telasco Segovia scored off a Jordi Alba backheel pass, and in the 89th minute Allende completed his hat trick to turn it into a full-on blowout.
Miami has had its struggles at different points this season. But, so far, in the postseason, the Herons have looked unstoppable. Saturday marks their third straight game with at least four goals, with the team amassing 17 total goals across five playoff games.
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Though six of those goals, fittingly, belong to star midfielder Lionel Messi, eight of them belong to Allende, who has been the true breakout star of the postseason for Miami. Allende has scored in every playoff game so far, scoring braces in three of those games before Saturday’s hat trick.
Inter Miami will host the MLS Cup, due to total point accumulation, and will face off against the winner of San Diego FC-Vancouver Whitecaps, who play the Western Conference Final later on Saturday. But if Miami plays like it did Saturday, either of those teams will have its hands full.
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