Inter Miami CF did their decisive work before the interval on Wednesday, October 14, as goals from Germán Berterame in the 20th minute and Rodrigo De Paul at 45+5 secured a 2–0 Major League Soccer victory over New York City FC at Nu Stadium.

The hosts paired those first-half breakthroughs with a clean sheet, leaving NYCFC empty-handed despite the visitors matching Miami’s 14 attempts and registering five shots on target.

Miami land two first-half blows

Berterame gave Miami the lead in the 20th minute, providing the breakthrough in this Eastern Conference fixture. The hosts then delivered another damaging blow deep into first-half stoppage time: De Paul’s goal at 45+5 doubled the advantage just before the break, leaving NYCFC facing a considerably tougher second-half task.

That timing proved crucial. Rather than heading into the interval needing only an equalizer, the visitors returned to the pitch with a two-goal deficit to overturn.

NYCFC cannot find a route back

There were no further goals after halftime, but NYCFC’s attacking numbers show they were not without opportunities to test Miami. The visitors finished with 14 shots, five on target and five corners, compared with Miami’s 14 attempts, six on target and three corners.

Miami held 57.2 percent of possession, giving them the larger share of the ball alongside their decisive advantage in front of goal. NYCFC could not turn their own attacking output into the breakthrough needed to change the direction of the match.

Matías Galarza received a yellow card in the 52nd minute, while Miami substitute Riquelme was booked in the 85th. The hosts preserved their two-goal cushion through the closing stages and eight minutes of second-half stoppage time to complete the victory.

What comes next

Miami return to MLS action against Atlanta United FC on Saturday, October 17, at 4:30 p.m. PDT. NYCFC’s next scheduled fixture is against Orlando City SC on Saturday, October 24, also at 4:30 p.m. PDT.

For Miami, the difference was clear: two first-half goals, followed by a second half in which they protected both their lead and their clean sheet.