Tadeo Allende leads Inter Miami past New York in Eastern Conference Final

FOR LAUDERDALE — Inter Miami CF are just one win away from the team's first-ever MLS Cup.

The Herons cruised past New York City FC, 5-1, behind Tadeo Allende's hat trick in Saturday's night's Eastern Conference Final at Chase Stadium, setting up an MLS Final showdown between Miami and the winner of the Western Conference Final between San Diego and Vancouver.

While Miami has eyes set on the MLS Cup, this was also the team's first Conference championship in history.

In addition to Allende's three scores, Miami's offensive explosion featured scoring efforts from Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia. Jordi Alba contributed a pair of stellar assists, while Lionel Messi and Yannick Bright each also assisted once.

Justin Haak was the sole goal-scorer for New York.

Allende found himself behind the defense on a long ball in the 14th minute. The forward bested his man, set himself, and fired a top-shelf laser past US National Team goalkeeper Matt Freese to stake Miami to a one-goal lead.

The 26 year-old then doubled his scoring output less than 10 minutes later with a gorgeous header, taking advantage of a defensive breakdown in the aftermath of a yellow card issued to Marcelo Weigandt.

Allende's header was assisted by Jordi Alba, who alongside renowned holding midfielder Sergio Busquets, announced his intentions to retire after the conclusion of the 2025 Major League Soccer season.

The second score resulted in a visibly frustrated Freese, who had watched the game quickly get out of hand after a promising start for New York.

Following an early Miami chance in the 2nd minute of play, New York dominated possession for the first 15 minutes, a span of play that saw famed Argentinian Lionel Messi go down on the pitch twice as Miami's rearguard was probed for a sequence of half-chances.

While the Herons showcased ferocity on the counter and were simply better at converting early chances, Justin Haak finally helped New York breach Miami's defense in the 37th minute, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.

It looked as though New York would equalize through Julian Fernández in the 66th minute. Just six minutes after coming on the field as a substitute for Agustin Ojeda, the forward got on the end of a tantalizing cross and nothing short of a stellar save from Rocco Ríos Novo kept him from levelling the score.

Less than a minute after New York nearly tied the game, Mateo Silvetti scored off an assist from Messi.

Quoted in an interview by Major League Soccer, Silvetti, who hails from the same youth soccer club as well as the same hometown of Rosario, Argentina, as Messi, claimed, "I listen to every word he says."

Silvetti signed with Inter Miami as recently as August 22 and has become a budding star for the Herons, with Saturday's goal shared by two former Newell's Old Boys stars just the latest scoring connection.

Telasco Segovia then scored in the 83rd minute, the goal coming off his foot but which followed a buildup that featured a vintage back-heel Alba assist worthy of the game's highlight reel.

The Heron's scoring frenzy was capped off by Allende, who secured his hat trick in the final minute of regulation.

Miami will await their matchup in the MLS Cup Final, set to take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2:30 p.m.

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.

Alex Peterman is a high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tadeo Allende, Inter Miami defeat New York to advance to MLS Cup final