| Inter Miami vs Vancouver | |
|
MATCH INFO |
|
|
MATCH :
|
Inter Miami vs Vancouver
|
|
COMPETITION :
|
MLS CUP FINAL
|
| DATE: |
07-12-2025
|
|
TIME:
|
01.00 AM IST
11.30 AM UAE
|
|
STADIUM
|
Chase Stadium
|
Florida will be buzzing on Saturday as their hometown heroes – modern-day gladiators in pink – walk out for the final time in 2025, chasing the silverware that has eluded them all season.
After relinquishing the Supporters’ Shield, Inter Miami will be desperate to claim their first-ever MLS Cup in what is also their maiden appearance in the final. Javier Mascherano set this as the club’s target from day one, and now the Herons stand just 90 minutes away from delivering for their city, their state, and for two legends preparing to say farewell to the game.
It is hard to bet against Miami. They have been in unstoppable post-season form, winning all three playoff matches by at least four goals, and they boast the most prolific attack the league has ever seen — 98 goals across the regular season and playoffs, the highest tally in a single MLS campaign.
However, for all that firepower and star quality, Inter Miami have not beaten Vancouver this season — a mental hurdle that will linger in the background. Even so, the electric atmosphere inside Chase Stadium should give the hosts a psychological edge as they look to end the year in style.
Vancouver Whitecaps, meanwhile, have enjoyed a historic campaign of their own. Jesper Sorensen’s side reached their first MLS Cup final after beating Western Conference winners San Diego 3–1 away from home last week. The Canadians have been fearless on the road all year, helping them set club records across the board: 63 points, 18 wins, 66 goals, and a +28 goal difference in the regular season.
They also lifted their fourth consecutive Canadian Championship and reached the Concacaf Champions Cup final, losing to Cruz Azul. Crucially, they eliminated Inter Miami in the semi-finals, winning both legs for a stunning 5–1 aggregate triumph. Now they aim to become the first Canadian MLS Cup winners since Toronto’s 2017 triumph.
It will be a monumental challenge — beating Inter at home, in Messi’s final MLS match, and on a night filled with emotion — but if any team can upset the script, it is the Whitecaps.
Injury News & Key Players
For Miami, nothing has changed: Ryan Sailor (knee) and David Ruiz (hamstring) remain unavailable. All eyes will again turn to Lionel Messi, who shattered yet another league record with 13 playoff goal contributions — the most ever in a single post-season. The captain is expected to deliver once more, though even if Vancouver manage to limit him, Inter’s arsenal of attacking threats is extensive.
Tadeo Allende has been a revelation, recording three straight multi-goal matches, including a hat-trick in the conference final. Mateo Silvetti, who has replaced Luis Suárez during his suspension, has also been outstanding with two goals and three assists in his last three appearances.
The night will be especially emotional for Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who will retire after the final and hope to close their legendary careers with another trophy.
Vancouver, on the other hand, are dealing with multiple absences: Sam Adekugbe (Achilles), Belal Halbouni (knee), Daniel Ríos (calf), Sebastian Schonlau (calf) and Ranko Veselinović (knee) are all expected to miss the trip. The good news is the return of MLS Defender of the Year Tristan Blackmon, who anchors a back line that kept a league-high 13 clean sheets this season.
Captain Ryan Gauld, slowly recovering from a difficult injury-hit year, has been an influential bench option throughout the playoffs, linking especially well with Brian White — scorer of 16 regular-season goals and six more in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
The Whitecaps will also lean heavily on Thomas Müller, whose nine goals and four assists in 12 appearances have added intelligence, movement, and world-class timing to the Vancouver attack.