The 2025 MLS Cup Final is set, and it promises a captivating showdown between Inter Miami CF and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. This star-studded match will take place on Saturday at Inter Miami's home stadium. The game is particularly exciting due to the face-off between two of soccer's most iconic figures: Lionel Messi, leading Inter Miami, and Thomas Müller, a key player for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
This will be the first MLS Cup appearance for Inter Miami, marking a significant achievement in the club's history. After joining Inter Miami midway through 2023, when the team was at the bottom of the league, Messi aimed to win an MLS Cup. Now, his quest is within reach. Inter Miami has demonstrated exceptional form during the postseason, scoring 17 goals while only conceding 4. Messi has been instrumental in this success, setting a playoff record with 13 goal contributions, including 6 goals and 7 assists. He also secured the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals and 19 assists during the regular season. Tadeo Allende has also been a standout performer for Inter Miami, tying the single-season playoff record with eight goals. Since Messi's arrival, Inter Miami has won the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters' Shield in 2024.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC, representing the Western Conference, will be making their first appearance in the MLS Cup Final as well. This sets the stage for a first-time champion to be crowned at the end of the league's 30th season.
Comparisons are being drawn between this match and the 2014 World Cup final and 2010 World Cup quarterfinal matches between Argentina and Germany. Müller's Germany won both of those prior contests. Messi and Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano also played for Argentina in those matches.
Müller downplayed the individual matchup, stating, "It's not about Messi against Thomas Müller, it's Miami against the Whitecaps". He also acknowledged that Inter Miami might rely more on Messi than Vancouver relies on him, emphasizing the strength of Vancouver's team as a whole. Müller joined Vancouver four months ago with the aim of winning an MLS title.
Interestingly, Inter Miami and Vancouver have a history, having met in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals, where the Whitecaps advanced with a 5-1 aggregate score. However, that result happened before Müller joined Vancouver.
The match will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with commentary available in both English and Spanish. Select broadcasts, including MLS Cup, will also be available on FOX Sports in the United States, as well as TSN and RDS in Canada.
