Major League Soccer Regular season

New York City FC 2 - 3 FT Inter Miami

Yankee Stadium

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
82
FT
Sun, Mar 22
New York City FC
2-3
Inter Miami
⚡ Intensity 62
⚖️ Balance 100
🏆 Stakes 50
🎲 Upset 34
Five-goal thriller stuns Yankee Stadium.

Inter Miami Steal First-Leg Advantage in Five-Goal Classic

Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 82/100. Inter Miami seized a crucial first-leg advantage in a relentless attacking spectacle that left Yankee Stadium breathless.

Opening Act

Yankee Stadium witnessed an explosive start to this crucial first leg as Inter Miami wasted no time taking the game directly to the hosts. The Intensity was evident immediately, with the visitors pressing high and forcing early mistakes. That aggressive posture paid dividends when G. Lujan shocked the raucous home crowd, opening the scoring with a precise finish in just the third minute. Instead of crumbling under the weight of the early deficit, New York City FC regrouped and pushed back against the pressure. Their offensive persistence paid off handsomely when N. Mercau found the back of the net to level the match just before the twenty-minute mark. Both sides traded heavy attacking blows throughout the remainder of the first half, repeatedly testing the goalkeepers who would ultimately combine for eight crucial saves on the night. Inter Miami edged possession in the opening frame, but the hosts found dangerous spaces to counter, setting up a perfectly poised second half in this high-stakes encounter.

The Pivot

The Balance of the match shifted wildly during a frantic and utterly breathless fifteen-minute window in the second half. New York City FC surged ahead, sending the stadium into a frenzy when A. Ojeda struck a brilliant go-ahead goal in the 59th minute, briefly turning the tie on its head. However, the visiting side delivered an immediate and devastating response to silence the Bronx. Just two minutes later, L. Messi stamped his undisputed authority on the game, finding the equalizer with a trademark finish. This rapid exchange of goals completely cracked the game wide open, breaking down any remaining defensive structures. The visitors continued to press forward relentlessly, exploiting a sudden lapse in the home side's midfield shape. Generating a massive 22 total shots over the course of the ninety minutes, Miami's sheer attacking volume began to overwhelm the tired legs in the home defense.

Resolution

The decisive and final blow arrived in the 74th minute when Micael found the target, completing a dramatic late surge that stunned the home supporters. Despite a frantic, desperate push from the home team in the dying minutes, Inter Miami held their defensive lines firm to secure a memorable 3-2 victory. The Stakes could not be higher heading into the return fixture, as this gripping first leg leaves the elimination tie hanging precariously in the balance. New York City FC must now travel south with a painful deficit to overturn, facing a massive test of their resilience and tactical discipline. With the second leg scheduled for October in Florida, the visitors hold a precious and hard-fought advantage, but this tie is far from over. This stunning Upset on the road sets the stage for what promises to be an explosive conclusion to the series.

Key Questions

What caused the 5-goal thriller?

A relentless pace, highlighted by 33 combined shots and a frantic 15-minute second-half window featuring three rapid goals, fueled the incredible scoring action.

How did New York City FC complete the comeback from behind?

After conceding early, NYCFC temporarily overturned the deficit through strikes from N. Mercau and A. Ojeda, though Inter Miami ultimately responded to steal the victory.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
47%
53%
New York City FC 47%
Inter Miami 53%
Shots
11
22
New York City FC 11
Inter Miami 22
Shots on Target
5
8
New York City FC 5
Inter Miami 8
Expected Goals (xG)
1.28
1.45
New York City FC 1.28
Inter Miami 1.45
Passes
468
544
New York City FC 468
Inter Miami 544
Pass Accuracy
84%
90%
New York City FC 84%
Inter Miami 90%
Corners
7
7
New York City FC 7
Inter Miami 7
Fouls
12
14
New York City FC 12
Inter Miami 14
Yellow Cards
1
4
New York City FC 1
Inter Miami 4
Red Cards
0
0
New York City FC 0
Inter Miami 0

Match Events

G. Lujan 3'
17' N. Mercau
Gonzalo Luján 🟨 38'
HT
Micael 🟨 53'
Tadeo Allende 🟨 55'
Ian Fray 🟨 55'
59' A. Ojeda
61' 🟨 Maxi Moralez
L. Messi 61'
T. Allende D. Pinter 🔄 63'
Micael 74'
75' 🔄 K. Parks J. Shore
Y. Bright G. Berterame 🔄 77'
I. Fray F. Mura 🔄 77'
M. Silvetti D. Ruiz 🔄 77'
81' 🔄 H. Wolf Talles Magno
86' 🔄 T. Gray D. Baiera
86' 🔄 A. Ojeda S. Reid
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

New York City FC

Goalkeepers
M. Freese
MAGNET
MAGNET
13
Activity
13
Activity
13
Passes
0
Duels
Defenders
T. Gray
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
100%
Duel Win %
Thiago Martins
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Trewin
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. O'Toole
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
K. Parks
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
75
Entry
M. Moralez
MAGNET
MAGNET
73
Activity
73
Activity
64
Passes
9
Duels
A. O'Neill
MAGNET
MAGNET
82
Activity
82
Activity
70
Passes
12
Duels
Forwards
A. Ojeda
SNIPER
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
N. Mercau
SNIPER
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
H. Wolf
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
9
Late Mins
9
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
81
Entry
BENCH
T. Romero
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Raul Gustavo
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Baiera
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Tanasijevic
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Cavallo
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Carrizo
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Shore
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Talles Magno
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Reid
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Inter Miami

Goalkeepers
D. St.Clair
MAGNET
MAGNET
34
Activity
34
Activity
34
Passes
0
Duels
Defenders
I. Fray
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
G. Lujan
SNIPER
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Micael
SNIPER
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
N. Allen
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
100%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Y. Bright
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
D. Ayala
MAGNET
MAGNET
69
Activity
69
Activity
63
Passes
6
Duels
T. Allende
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
63
Total Mins
63
Entry
L. Messi
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
0
Contribution
0
Contribution
8.3
Rating
Yes
Captain
T. Segovia
MAGNET
MAGNET
74
Activity
74
Activity
61
Passes
13
Duels
Forwards
M. Silvetti
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
BENCH
R. Rios
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
F. Mura
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Abadia-Reda
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Ruiz
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Morales
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Shaw
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Suarez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Berterame
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Pinter
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
34
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
29/11/2025 Inter Miami 5 - 1 New York City FC Major League Soccer Chase Stadium
24/09/2025 New York City FC 0 - 4 Inter Miami Major League Soccer Citi Field
23/02/2025 Inter Miami 2 - 2 New York City FC Major League Soccer Chase Stadium
21/09/2024 New York City FC 1 - 1 Inter Miami Major League Soccer Yankee Stadium
30/03/2024 Inter Miami 1 - 1 New York City FC Major League Soccer Chase Stadium
30/09/2023 Inter Miami 1 - 1 New York City FC Major League Soccer DRV PNK Stadium
12/03/2023 New York City FC 1 - 0 Inter Miami Major League Soccer Yankee Stadium
17/10/2022 New York City FC 3 - 0 Inter Miami Major League Soccer Citi Field
29/11/2025
Major League Soccer Chase Stadium
24/09/2025
Major League Soccer Citi Field
23/02/2025
Major League Soccer Chase Stadium
21/09/2024
Major League Soccer Yankee Stadium
30/03/2024
Major League Soccer Chase Stadium
30/09/2023
Major League Soccer DRV PNK Stadium
12/03/2023
Major League Soccer Yankee Stadium
17/10/2022
Major League Soccer Citi Field
New York City FC Win
Inter Miami Win
Draw