WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Argentine striker Tadeo Allende netted a hat-trick as Inter Miami reached its first MLS Cup final with a 5-1 home rout of New York City on Saturday.
Allende put his side ahead in the Eastern Conference final with a powerful right-footed drive that beat goalkeeper Matt Freese at his near post.
Allende struck again nine minutes later, sending a looping header into the far corner following Jordi Alba's diagonal cross.
The visitors pulled a goal back through Justin Haak, who latched onto Maxi Moralez's cross with a bullet header past Rocco Rios Novo.
The hosts had their Argentine goalkeeper to thank for staying ahead in the 66th minute when he dived horizontally to tip Julian Fernandez's first-time effort over the bar.
Miami extended its lead a minute later as Mateo Silvetti combined with Lionel Messi before calmly slotting a low shot into the far corner.
The Florida outfit was in an unforgiving mood and Telasco Segovia made it 4-1 by playing a one-two with Alba before finishing clinically past Freese.
Allende completed the rout with a deft chip over the American goalkeeper following Yannick Bright's perfectly weighted through ball. With eight goals in the playoffs so far, Allende has equaled Carlos Ruiz's MLS record for a single post-season.
Inter Miami will meet either San Diego FC or Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final on December 6.
Both clubs had inferior records to Miami during the regular season, meaning the Herons are guaranteed to host the final. ■
