NYCFC routed by Lionel Messi, Inter Miami as playoff run ends

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — New York City FC didn’t need a reminder that Inter Miami wasn’t just Lionel Messi against everyone else.

They still got one anyway, as three goals by Tadeo Allende and a crushing blow by Mateo Silvetti ended NYCFC’s season with a 5-1 loss in the Eastern Conference Final in South Florida.

New York City FC felt the loss of leading scorer Alonso Martínez after being held to just one goal and failing to convert on a trio of second-half chances that would have tied the game.

Justin Haak scored NYCFC’s only goal of the game and Matt Freese allowed more than one goal in an MLS match for the first time since the regular season finale on Oct. 18.

Saturday’s match also marked the first time that NYCFC had allowed the first goal in a match since the playoffs had started.