Kily Gonzalez believes Inter Miami i Lionel Messi They are a perfect fit after the Argentine played a key role in the club securing their place in the MLS playoffs last night.
Messi set up former international teammate Rodrigo De Paul’s second goal, adding to German Berterame’s opener, as Miami beat New York City FC 2-0 at Nu Stadium. Miami goalkeeper Dayne St Clair kept the scoreless by saving Nicolas Fernandez’s penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
The defending MLS champions have now clinched a place in the top seven with five games to go as they look to become the first team to defend the crown since the 2011-12 Los Angeles Galaxy.
Messi’s assist was his 14th of the season, best in MLS along with his 23 goals.
“This is a club that looks after him and protects him,” Gonzalez said of Messi, who played his last game for his country on an emotional night in Buenos Aires last week.
“His teammates show him constant affection. They go out of their way for him and give everything they have. He pushes us to be better every day and challenges us.”
Gonzalez leaving his mark in Miami
It was also a historic night for Berterame, who scored his first goal since May as Miami earned its second win under Gonzalez after he took over for Guillermo Hoyos in September.
“When you have players who are willing to buy into the vision you’re trying to implement, everything becomes easier,” added Gonzalez. “We recognize the mistakes we’ve been making, or are still making, and we address them during training. And really, that willingness makes it much easier to convey clear concepts.”
It hasn’t been an easy season for Miami, but they will enter the postseason as one of the favorites. They now sit second in the Eastern Conference, but are still 14 points behind runaway leader SC Nashville.
Next up for Miami is a trip to Atlanta United on Saturday night.
