Inter Miami vs. NYC FC: Three Crucial Showdowns That Will Determine the Eastern Conference Champion
Inter Miami are experiencing their finest form ever. They're hoping to maintain this momentum as they host New York City FC at Chase Stadium on Saturday evening for the Eastern Conference championship, with a spot in the 2025 MLS Cup at stake.
Though Miami boasts superstar talent and enjoys home field advantage, they face a New York City squad that's surging after knocking out the Supporters' Shield champions. NYCFC has legitimate reasons to believe they can orchestrate another shocking victory.
Sports Illustrated examines three crucial matchups that may determine which club secures the privilege of meeting San Diego FC or Vancouver Whitecaps FC in MLS Cup on December 6th.
Lionel Messi vs. Matt Freese
Lionel Messi has been absolutely scorching for Inter Miami throughout the campaign and has elevated his performance even higher during the postseason. Following a regular season where he netted 29 goals and provided 19 assists across 29 matches, he's now accumulated six goals and six assists in merely four playoff contests.
However, he hasn't encountered a goalkeeper of Matt Freese's caliber. The 27-year-old U.S. men's national team keeper has been in exceptional form, delivering five saves—including four spectacular stops—against Philadelphia Union, helping NYCFC advance beyond the Supporters' Shield titlists.
While Messi has demonstrated his scoring prowess in virtually every conceivable manner, the clear-cut chances he witnessed and generated against FC Cincinnati and Nashville will be scarcer against a more robust defensive unit. The opportunities he does receive will face a superior goalkeeper guarding the net.
Should NYCFC achieve the upset victory, Freese will play a crucial role in making it happen. If he fails to perform at his peak, Miami can begin preparing their strategy to defeat San Diego or the Whitecaps in MLS Cup.
Kevin O'Toole vs. Sergio Busquets
Kevin O'Toole has experienced remarkable recent weeks. He received his maiden Ireland call-up, earning a bench spot as the Irish defeated Portugal in a match where Cristiano Ronaldo was dismissed. Now, he's battling Sergio Busquets in the midfield, alongside Messi and Miami's other superstars.
If anyone is brimming with self-assurance, it's O'Toole. Against Philadelphia, he neutralized Danley Jean Jaques and contributed eight defensive actions.
He'll likely partner with Aidan O'Neill (who missed the Philadelphia match due to suspension) and be assigned to counter Busquets in central midfield, working to dispossess the Spaniard and Rodrigo De Paul. Busquets, specifically, has been effective with his ability to thread passes through Nashville and FC Cincinnati's midfield, making disruption in that zone essential for NYCFC.
NYCFC's Road Performance vs. Miami's Crucial Match
Beyond individual player comparisons, both teams possess contrasting mindsets, with NYCFC playing away while Inter Miami confronts a match of monumental significance.
Guided by Maxi Moralez's veteran composure, New York City FC understands how to secure playoff victories away from home. During their 2021 MLS Cup championship run, NYCFC competed in every match following the opening round on the road, exactly as they would need to do should they advance all the way to the title this season.
Conversely, Miami has stumbled in their most critical encounters. Throughout these playoffs, it's been about avoiding catastrophe following their 2024 first-round exit to Atlanta United.
They've managed to extend their season through two rounds for the first time in franchise history, but now faces their initial major examination—they would even claim the Eastern Conference trophy with a victory here.
Miami's trophy-winning track record presents a concerning narrative: A 2024 Leagues Cup final defeat and a 2023 U.S. Open Cup loss accompany their 2023 Leagues Cup triumph, the sole knockout trophy Miami has secured thus far.
On Saturday, one of these trends must be broken. Will it be NYCFC's road success, or Miami's disappointing record in pivotal matches?