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Inter Miami CF Clinches MLS Playoffs in Inaugural Season
November 8, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Inter Miami CF News Release
Inter Miami CF made history by qualifying to the MLS playoffs in its inaugural season with a win over FC Cincinnati on Decision Day presented by AT&T. The 2-1 victory, which was played in front of a limited number of Season Ticket Members at Inter Miami CF Stadium, made the Club just the seventh to qualify for playoffs in its inaugural season. Mikey Ambrose's first and Leandro González Pirez's second goals of the season earned the team the crucial win.
"We feel excited. It's been a really difficult year with everything that's happened and I think that we have pushed forward a lot. Today we got the reward that we were looking for and we're in the playoffs. It's a huge step for us, I'm very happy for the players and everything they gave," said manager Diego Alonso. "It was a match that in normal conditions I think we could have won more calmly, but it worked out this way and we ended up winning the match with adjustments when I think we could've won it a little clearer. But we're happy with the result and happy to have qualified."
Inter Miami opened the match on the front foot, fighting off turbulent weather to create chances in the early going. After a few chances in the opening 10 minutes, the hosts found their breakthrough goal in the 19th minute. Ambrose, who was starting his third match of the season, collected a clearance outside of the box and struck a powerful left-footed shot past the keeper and into the back of the net. The long-range effort was his first goal in MLS.
Inter Miami doubled its lead just four minutes later from a corner kick; Lewis Morgan struck a pinpoint delivery to the near post that LGP attacked in the air and headed across goal and into the back of the net to make it 2-0 in the 23rd minute. The goal was LGP's second of the season and the assist was Morgan's team-leading eighth.
The team continued to push in attack and remain firm in defense, entering halftime with the 2-0 lead intact. In the 66th minute, however, Cincinnati cut into Inter Miami's lead; a powerful strike by Joseph-Claude Gyau from long range curled into the corner of the net, making it 2-1.
The hosts responded by pushing to consolidate the lead, notably through a pair of strikes at goal by Gonzalo HiguaÃÂn and Morgan. In the 86th minute, however, John McCarthy was called into action, making a diving save to punch away a header after a Cincinnati set piece.
In the 88th minute, Andrés Reyes was sent off with a second yellow card. Inter Miami responded to the challenge, defending stoutly down a man for the final two minutes of regulation and four minutes of added time. One final effort was crossed in by Cincinnati in the 94th minute, but McCarthy left his line and claimed the ball in the air, sealing the win and playoff qualification for Inter Miami.
Losses by Chicago Fire FC and Atlanta United FC meant that Inter Miami finished the regular season 10th in the Eastern Conference with an average of 1.04 points per game. Inter Miami's Eastern Conference play-in match against fellow expansion club Nashville SC will be played on Friday, Nov. 20, at Nissan Stadium and air live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. ET.
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Major League Soccer Stories from November 8, 2020
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- Notes & Quotes: Chicago Fire FC 3 - 4 New York City FC - New York City FC
- MNUFC Dominates Dallas, Earns Home Playoff Game - Minnesota United FC
- Earthquakes Close Season with a Loss - San Jose Earthquakes
- Timbers Secure No. 3 Seed in Audi MLS Cup Playoffs with 1-1 Draw on the Road against Los Angeles FC - Portland Timbers
- Real Salt Lake Ends 2020 with 2-0 Defeat to Sporting Kansas City - Real Salt Lake
- FC Dallas Falls on the Road against Minnesota United FC on Decision Day - FC Dallas
- Real Salt Lake Announces 2020 Club Award Winners - Real Salt Lake
- 'Caps finish season with dominant all-around performance - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- LAFC Draws Portland Timbers 1-1 on Decision Day Presented by AT&T - Los Angeles FC
- Sporting Wins West with 2-0 Win over RSL - Sporting Kansas City
- Diego Rossi Wins MLS Golden Boot Presented by Audi - Los Angeles FC
- Diego Rossi Becomes Youngest Player in History to Win MLS Golden Boot Presented by Audi - MLS
- Rubio's Stoppage Time Winner Lifts Rapids to Third Straight Win - Colorado Rapids
- Nashville SC Stuns Orlando City SC 3-2 in Stoppage Time - Nashville SC
- New York Red Bulls (2) - Toronto FC (1) Post Match Summary - Toronto FC
- Montreal Impact Clinch Playoff Berth - Club de Foot Montreal
- Inter Miami CF Clinches MLS Playoffs in Inaugural Season - Inter Miami CF
- Chicago Fire FC Falls 4-3 to New York City FC - Chicago Fire FC
- Lions Fall to Nashville SC on Decision Day - Orlando City SC
- D.C. United Lose 3-2 to the Montreal Impact in the Final Game of 2020 - D.C. United
- Red Bulls Defeat Toronto, 2-1; Clinch 6th Seed in East - New York Red Bulls
- Atlanta United Drops Regular Season Finale to Columbus Crew SC - Atlanta United FC
- Revolution Conclude Regular Season with 2-0 Loss to Philadelphia Union - New England Revolution
- Gyau scores first FCC goal as Orange and Blue conclude 2020 MLS season - FC Cincinnati
- Philadelphia Union Win 2020 Supporters' Shield - Philadelphia Union
- Timbers Travel to Face Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium on Decision Day - Portland Timbers
- Earthquakes Face Seattle Sounders FC Today - San Jose Earthquakes
- Storylines: City vs. Nashville SC - Orlando City SC
- Columbus Crew SC Hosts Atlanta United Today - Columbus Crew SC
- What to Watch for as Nashville SC Concludes Inaugural MLS Regular Season at Orlando City SC - Nashville SC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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