Player Ratings: Inter Miami roll past NYCFC 5-1 to book a spot in the MLS Cup Final | OneFootball

The Herons started the match on the front foot, pushing the tempo and keeping NYCFC's back line on its heels.

This high-pressing strategy worked, with the Men in Pink scoring just 14 minutes into the match through Tadeo Allende. Allende would add another goal nine minutes after that to double Miami's lead.

Though NYCFC would nab one back with a Justin Haak header in the 37th minute, Miami kept their cool, maintaining a strong defensive structure despite City's attacking onslaught.

The Herons would add three more goals in the 67th, 83rd, and 89th through Mateo Silvetti, Telasco Segovia, and Tadeo Allende to clinch victory.

With a trip to the MLS Cup Final in a week, here are Player Ratings from Miami's Eastern Conference Final win over NYCFC.

*I’ll rate every player on a scale of 1 to 10, with 5-6 being average/below average. For the substitutes, I’ll judge accordingly. *

Goalkeeping/Defense

Inter Miami CF v New York City FC - Audi 2025 MLS Cup Western Conference Final | Rich Storry/GettyImages

Rocco Rios Novo - 9: Single handedly saved the game for Miami with his stop in the 53rd minute.

Jordi Alba - 8: One more game until this man retires as one of the best left-backs of his generation.

Noah Allen - 7.8: Like Falcon, Allen looked a little physically outmatched by his opponent, but he still did well to stymie a dangerous NYCFC attack.

Maximiliano Falcon - 7.7: An admirable performance from the Uruguayan. He looked physically over-matched, at times, but he still held his own.

Marcelo Weigandt - 7: Got an early yellow card and never really recovered from that.

Midfield

Inter Miami CF v New York City FC - Audi 2025 MLS Cup Western Conference Final | Rich Storry/GettyImages

Rodrigo de Paul - 7.8: Maybe not his best match, but he definitely got stuck into some battles

Sergio Busquets - 8: Genuinely can't believe this man will only play in one more game before he retires.

Baltasar Rodriguez - 7.7: Maybe not the best game from the midfielder, but he did well during his start.

Attack

Inter Miami CF v New York City FC - Audi 2025 MLS Cup Western Conference Final | Rich Storry/GettyImages

Mateo Silvetti -  8: Great game, once again from the youngster. He pressed well and scored again.

Lionel Messi - 8.9: Though he didn't score, he was still integral to Miami's attack.

Tadeo Allende - 10: Allende not only scored a hat trick, but he did a great job of convincing people he's deserving of a permanent contract with the club.

Substitutes

Inter Miami CF v New York City FC - Audi 2025 MLS Cup Western Conference Final | Leonardo Fernandez/GettyImages

Ian Fray - 7.8: If it weren't for his injury, he would've started the match. Glad to see him back on the pitch, though!

Yannick Bright - 8.2: Miami really needed his defensive positioning and tackling ability when he came on. The Italian did well to disrupt NYCFC's midfield.

Telasco Segovia - 8: Came on, scored a goal, didn't elaborate.

Luis Suarez - N/A: Did not play long enough for a rating.

Coaching

Inter Miami CF v New York City FC - Audi 2025 MLS Cup Western Conference Final | Rich Storry/GettyImages

With a trip to the MLS Cup Final on the line, Javier Mascherano couldn't have coached a better game. His substitutes were spot-on, and tactically, he did well to nullify NYCFC's strengths.

This is, probably, his first perfect game as Miami manager.