Kelly Gonzalez believes Inter Miami and Lionel Messi are a perfect fit after the Argentine played a key role in the club securing their place in the MLS play-offs last night.
Messi set up the second goal for his former international teammate Rodrigo De Paul, adding the first goal for German Berteram, in Miami’s 2-0 win over New York City FC at the Nou Stadium. Miami goalkeeper Dane St. Clair kept a clean sheet by saving Nicholas Fernandez’s penalty kick in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
The defending MLS champions are now in seventh place with five games remaining As they look to become the first team to defend the title since LA Galaxy 2011-2012.
Messi’s assist was his 14th of the season, the best in MLS along with his 23 goals.
“This club takes care of him and protects him,” Gonzalez said of Messi, who last week played his final match for his country on an emotional night in Buenos Aires.
“His teammates constantly show him affection. They do their best for him and give it everything they have. He pushes us to be better every day and challenges us.”
Gonzalez is making his mark in Miami
It was also a historic night for Berteram, who scored his first goal since May, as Miami recorded its second win under Gonzalez after taking over in September from Guillermo Hoyos.
“When you have players who are willing to participate in the vision you are trying to implement, everything becomes easier,” Gonzalez added. “We realize the mistakes we have made, or are still making, and we address them during training. In fact, this preparation 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 in second place 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.
