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10/14 20:54 CDT Messi assists as Inter Miami clinches MLS playoff berth with 2-0 win over NYCFC Messi assists as Inter Miami clinches MLS playoff berth with 2-0 win over NYCFC By ALANIS THAMES AP Sports Writer MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) --- Rodrigo De Paul scored on an assist from Lionel Messi and Germn Berterame added a goal to send reigning champion Inter Miami back to the MLS playoffs with a 2-0 win over New York City FC on Wednesday night. Luis Surez also assisted for Inter Miami, which has won back-to-back matches for the first time since July. Miami missed the postseason when Messi arrived in 2023, but has reached the playoffs the past three seasons, losing in the first round to Atlanta United in 2024 then beating Vancouver last year to win the club's first MLS Cup. Wednesday's victory came after Miami routed DC United 4-0 last Saturday on a pair of goals from Messi and Surez, and it was the second league win for new coach Cristian "Kily" Gonzlez, who took over Sept. 16. Berterame scored in the 20th for his eighth goal of the season. De Paul doubled Miami's lead right before the end of the first half. Dayne St. Clair denied Nicols Fernndez on a penalty in the final minute of the match for his second straight clean sheet. It has been a rollercoaster year for Messi, who led Argentina to its second straight World Cup final and announced his retirement from international soccer a month later. Now, he has a chance to cap it with another trophy.

Up next NYCFC: Hosts LAFC on Saturday. Miami: At Atlanta United on Saturday. ___ See AP's full MLS coverage here

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