Inter Miami Shatters Three MLS Records While Dominating Eastern Conference Victory
Inter Miami gets the opportunity to claim the MLS Cup as they face Thomas Müller's Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium this Saturday. However, they've already made their mark with an exceptional 2025 MLS Cup playoffs run, defeating Nashville SC, FC Cincinnati and New York City FC along the way.
Although their regular season performance fell short of the record-setting point total they achieved in 2024 when winning the Supporters' Shield, their offensive play, Lionel Messi's displays and playoff performances rank among the finest in MLS's three-decade history.
Their commanding 5–1 victory over New York City FC added another chapter to their record-breaking campaign.
Below are the milestones they achieved in that decisive victory.
Miami Shatters Scoring Record
Following their five-goal barrage against USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese on Saturday, Miami pushed their combined regular-season and playoff goal tally to 98, establishing a new MLS single-season record. They reached this milestone while simultaneously managing campaigns in the 2025 Leagues Cup final and advancing through the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup knockout rounds.
When including all competitions, Miami has netted 131 goals across 57 matches.
Tadeo Allende Matches Scoring Record
No player had managed eight goals in a single MLS Cup playoff campaign since 2002, until Tadeo Allende achieved this feat with his hat-trick performance in the Eastern Conference final versus NYCFC. The Argentine forward contributed 11 goals during the regular season and has now tallied eight across just five playoff contests.
His eight-goal haul equals the record for most goals by an individual player in MLS Cup playoffs, matching Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz's achievement when LA Galaxy reached the 2002 MLS Cup final.
Both Allende and Lionel Messi now join eight players in MLS history to score six goals in a single postseason, with an opportunity to break these records in the championship match.
Lionel Messi Expands Goal Involvement Record
Happy Messi 😀@InterMiamiCF // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/KPuT5PphK3
Messi delivered a more subdued performance against NYCFC, yet managed a crucial late assist to reach six goals and seven assists across five games in the 2025 postseason. The Argentine legend had already surpassed the previous record of 11 goal contributions in a single season, now extending his tally to 13 with one match remaining.
MLS Cup Schedule
Inter Miami will meet Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the MLS Cup final at Chase Stadium's farewell match next Saturday. A victory would add to Messi's world-record trophy collection, bringing his total to 47 titles across all club and international competitions.