Inter Miami CF Advances to Historic First Leagues Cup Final With Win Over Philadelphia Union

Inter Miami CF defeated the Philadelphia Union 1-4 on Tuesday night, securing a spot in the first Leagues Cup final, a Concacaf Champions Cup berth in 2024, and the team’s first shot at a trophy this Saturday.

Jordi Alba, Josef Martnez, Lionel Messi, and David Ruiz scored on the night to lead the team to a Club record sixth consecutive win, and the team will now face Nashville SC in the final on Saturday.

Inter Miami CF versus Philadelphia Union Recap

Martnez put Inter Miami ahead just three minutes into the game at Subaru Park. Kryvtsov took possession and passed to Martnez over the top behind the defense.

The Venezuelan forward intercepted a pass in the box and scored with a low strike past Andre Blake to make it 1-0. Martnez’s goal was his ninth of the season and third of the tournament, while Kryvtsov’s assist was his first for the Club.

Messi added his own goal in the 20th minute. Martinez received a pass, turned, and passed to Messi in space. The Argentine charged at the defense and struck a powerful low shot from very long range that beat the defense, beat the goalkeeper, and found the inside of the far post to increase the lead to 0-2.

Messi’s goal extended his goal streak to six matches, with at least one in every game he’s played for Inter Miami, and brought his total to a Leagues Cup-leading nine goals in the tournament. Martnez’s assist was his third of the season.

Inter Miami extended its lead just before halftime, scoring its third goal of the night. Taylor dribbled calmly through defenders to midfield before playing a through ball down the left wing for Alba behind the defense.

The Spanish left back continued his run into the box before firing across goal and into the back of the net for his first goal for Inter Miami. Taylor’s assist extended his productive Leagues Cup streak to nine goals in the tournament.

Philadelphia equalized in the second half when a corner was deflected back to Alejandro Bedoya, who finished smartly at the near post to make it 1-3.

Inter Miami then scored its own final goal. Messi sent a ball down the right wing for Yedlin, who played a perfectly weighted ball into the box for second-half substitute Ruiz, who slid his shot across goal to make it 1-4 and seal the victory. Ruiz scored his second goal for the First Team, and Yedlin assisted for the fifth time in 2023.

The victory was historic for Inter Miami, extending the club’s longest winning streak, qualifying for the first final in team history, and clinching a spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup for the first time.

“Our goal was to qualify for international competition next season and we’ve done that tonight,” said head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino. “This most important thing was achieving qualification for Concacaf Champions Cup, and now we have to prepare to win this tournament, which has us feeling very motivated and confident.”

Inter Miami will now compete in Saturday’s Leagues Cup final for the first official piece of silverware for the First Team. On Saturday, the team will face Nashville SC in the championship game.