MLS: Messi gets an assist as Inter Miami beats New York City to book playoffs spot; Player ratings

Inter Miami’s Rodrigo De Paul celebrates with Lionel Messi after scoring his side’s second goal during the Major League Soccer match against New York City. | Photo Credit: AP

Rodrigo De Paul scored on an assist from Lionel Messi, and Germán Berterame added a goal to send reigning champion Inter Miami back to the Major League Soccer playoffs with a 2-0 win over New York City FC on Wednesday night.

Luis Suárez also assisted for Inter Miami, which has won back-to-back matches for the first time since July.

AS IT HAPPENED | INTER MIAMI VS NEW YORK CITY

Miami missed the postseason when Messi arrived in 2023, but has reached the playoffs the past three seasons, losing in the first round to Atlanta United in 2024 then beating Vancouver last year to win the club’s first MLS Cup.

Berterame scored in the 20th for his eighth goal of the season. De Paul doubled Miami’s lead right before the end of the first half. Dayne St. Clair denied Nicolás Fernández on a penalty in the final minute of the match for his second straight clean sheet.

INTER MIAMI VS NEW YORK CITY PLAYER RATING

Inter Miami CF

St. Clair (8.9), Luján (7.7), Casemiro (8.1), Micael (7.8), Reguilón (7.2), De Paul (8.3), Ayala (8.1), Galarza (6.7), Messi (8.2), Suárez (8.1), Berterame (7.8)

Substitutes: Segovia (6.1), Caicedo (5.7), Fillipi (6.5), Fray (No rating)

New York City FC

Martínez (6.0), Traoré (7.1), Fernández (7.0), Ojeda (6.6), Perea (7.1), O’Neill (6.4), Cavallo (5.7), Sands (6.0), Martins (5.8), Gray (6.0), Freese (8.1)

Substitutes: O’Toole (6.4), Wolf (6.0), Luighi (6.1), Jones (No rating), Magno (No rating)