'We achieved our first goal' - Javier Mascherano says as Inter Miami clinch MLS playoff spot after 4-0 win over NYCFC

Miami proved dominant in their win in New York. Lionel Messi scored twice, Baltasar Rodríguez added a goal, and Luis Suárez converted a penalty as the Herons secured another win, moving up to third in the Eastern Conference with 55 points. Mascherano’s side also notched a rare clean sheet, a feat they’ve struggled with this season. 

“We achieved our first goal, it was very important for us. We have to keep pushing forward. We still have two games left, so we’ll try to rotate the squad a bit, but we also want to win and secure the best possible playoff position,” Mascherano said. “We want to fight for the Supporters’ Shield, but first we need to focus on Toronto, recover our players, and keep our mindset that the next match is always the most important.”

Mascherano also praised Lionel Messi’s unselfishness after the Argentine star once again gave penalty opportunities to his teammates. 

“We need goals more than he does, and that’s exactly how he wants it. He likes to share, to involve everyone. Suárez needed to score, and that’s really good for the group,” he explained.

Another positive takeaway for Miami was keeping a clean sheet, something the team has only done five times this season. 

“The next games we’ll work hard to avoid conceding. That will help us a lot in the playoffs,” Mascherano said. 

He also acknowledged the club’s next target, which is climbing as high as possible to secure home-field advantage.

The Herons look to keep their strong run going in MLS as they visit Toronto FC this Saturday.