New York City FC reached the Eastern Conference Final, where they faced Inter Miami CF on Nov. 29. The Boys in Blue were the dark horse of the tournament, finishing fifth in the regular season.
The first opponent in the playoffs was Charlotte FC. This round was played as a best-of-three series; the team with two wins would advance to the next round. NYC FC had not won an away game against Charlotte FC. Against all odds, the Boys in Blue defeated Charlotte FC twice on their home field, advancing to the semifinals and making history.
The next opponent was the Supporters’ Shield winner Philadelphia Union, which finished first in the regular season and earned home-field advantage. NYC FC had previously lost to the Philadelphia Union during the regular season, a match that helped the Philadelphia Union lift the Supporters’ Shield.
Now, they meet again in this tournament seeking revenge. The Boys in Blue knocked out Philadelphia Union, securing their spot in the Eastern Conference finals against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
During the international break, NYC FC lost its star striker, Alonso Martínez, leaving NYC FC without a valid No. 9 for the final. NYC FC and Inter Miami CF faced off earlier this summer at Citi Field, where The Boys in Blue suffered a heavy defeat as Miami delivered a masterclass performance.
Now they meet again, this time in the final to determine who will be crowned champions of the Eastern Conference and move on to the MLS Cup final.
A rivalry had begun to grow. New Yorkers and NYC FC fans took jabs at Inter Miami CF and Messi supporters, criticizing them for their lack of support for the league and club and labeling them as plastic fans.
In this match, NYC FC lost the finals to Inter Miami CF, a heartbreak for the fans and players who had made it this far.
The fans were supportive of the club, which went against all odds, understanding the lack of squad depth and the owners’ lack of support. Nevertheless, they left the tournament knowing they’ll come back stronger than ever and that someday they’ll bring the cup back home.
During the match, a heated confrontation broke out between NYC FC’s Maximiliano “Maxi’ Moralez, Inter Miami CF’s Messi and Rodrigo De Paul. Journalist Martin Amestoy of Picado TV later revealed the argument started when De Paul told Moralez that he had been “kicked out of Racing” during Moralez’s return to Racing back in 2023.
“You need courage to go to the club and face it,” Moralez responded. De Paul replied, “I go to Racing whenever I want, and if not, I’ll buy it.”
This had Maxi enraged, in which he fired back, “If you go whenever you want, then you’re a coward. You didn’t go now to try to win the Copa Libertadores, and at 30 years old, you decided to come on vacation in Miami.” Messi stepped in, “You have to respect me. You have to respect me.”
Moralez’s response back: “Sorry, I thought he was your lapdog, not that you were his lapdog.”
Messi did not handle this comment well and wanted to start a fight on the sideline.
In New York fashion, Maxi shot back: “What do you think, idiot? That I was born in New York? Now I’ll meet you at the locker room where I was born, fighting every day. Who do you think you are?” Causing the whole brawl in this final.
