Inter Miami's Eastern Conference Final Showdown: Every Potential MLS Cup Championship Clash Revealed
Inter Miami have reached the Eastern Conference final of the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in their franchise history following a commanding 4–0 victory over FC Cincinnati on Sunday evening.
Despite being the No. 3-seed Herons and not expected to host a playoff fixture at this point in the tournament, they will enjoy at least one additional home match at Chase Stadium, as they face No. 5-seed New York City FC on either November 29 or 30.
Shortly after Miami secured their spot in the Eastern Conference final, New York City FC followed suit, stunning the Supporters' Shield champions Philadelphia Union with a 1–0 victory away at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Maxi Moralez, who will celebrate his 39th birthday in February, netted the decisive goal for NYCFC in the 27th minute, while U.S. men's national team goalkeeper Matt Freese delivered an outstanding performance with five saves, preserving the shutout and advancing manager Pascal Jansen's squad to the conference final.
While NYCFC's advancement to the conference final as the No. 5-seed seemed improbable this season, the organization has previous experience at this level, particularly with Moralez leading the way.
Their most recent conference final appearance came in 2022, where they fell to Philadelphia. The previous year, they captured MLS Cup, defeating the Portland Timbers in the championship match after overcoming the same Philadelphia team for the Eastern Conference title.
Moralez was instrumental in both campaigns and proved to be the game-changer for his team once more on Sunday evening, as NYCFC completed the remarkable upset after previously shocking No. 4-seed Charlotte FC in the opening round best-of-three series.
The Eastern Conference final operates as a winner-take-all contest, with the victor proceeding to MLS Cup against the Western Conference titlist.
Inter Miami vs. New York City FC Last Five Matches
Date | Result |
|---|---|
Sept. 24, 2025 | NYCFC 0–4 Inter Miami |
Feb. 22, 2025 | Inter Miami 2–2 NYCFC |
Sept. 21, 2024 | NYCFC 1–1 Inter Miami |
Mar. 30, 2024 | Inter Miami 1–1 NYCFC |
Sept. 30, 2023 | Inter Miami 1–1 NYCFC |
Path to MLS Cup
With the Eastern Conference final confirmed on Sunday evening, five clubs officially remain in the MLS Cup playoffs, as San Diego FC and Minnesota United are scheduled to clash in the Western Conference semifinal on Monday evening.
Nevertheless, among the two remaining Eastern Conference clubs, only Inter Miami possess the opportunity to host MLS Cup on December 6. Should NYCFC progress, they would travel to face the Western Conference winner based on their final point tally in the Supporters' Shield standings.
Thomas Müller's Vancouver Whitecaps are waiting for either San Diego or Minnesota in the Western Conference final after eliminating Son Heung-min's LAFC in the Western Conference semifinal.