The 2025 MLS Cup finally arrives this Saturday at Chase Stadium, and it honestly feels like the kind of final people will remember for a long time. Inter Miami host the Vancouver Whitecaps in what will be the last ever game at Chase Stadium before moving to Miami Freedom Park, and having Lionel Messi lead the team out one more time gives the night an emotional edge.
Miami reached the final after a ruthless 5-1 win over NYCFC, a performance reported in detail by SoftFootball. Earlier in the playoffs, Messi produced three assists to drag Miami into the conference final, another moment SoftFootball covered closely.
Vancouver’s journey feels different but equally powerful. This is their first-ever MLS Cup appearance, and they earned it through pure fight, knocking out Dallas, LAFC, and San Diego along the way. Thomas Müller has become the quiet leader behind their run, guiding a team that many did not expect to make it this far.
Messi, however, continues to shape Miami’s season, even breaking the all-time global assist record with 405, a milestone SoftFootball highlighted after the earlier playoff round. Vancouver know what they are up against, but Müller’s influence and their collective discipline give them a real chance.
Team News
Inter Miami enter the final with a mostly fit squad, though they remain without David Ruiz and Ryan Sailor. Mascherano will still have his core available, including Messi, who has played every playoff minute so far, and Tadeo Allende, who scored a hat-trick against NYCFC.
Vancouver have more injury concerns. Adekugbe, Veselinovic, Schonlau, Halbouni, and Rios are all out, but the return of Tristan Blackmon offers stability at the back.
Possible Lineups
Inter Miami (4-3-3): Rios; Weigandt, Falcon, Busquets, Allen, Alba; Silvetti, De Paul, Rodriguez; Messi, Allende.
Vancouver Whitecaps: Takaoka; Ocampo, Blackmon, Priso-Mbongue, Laborda; Cubas, Berhalter; Sabbi, Muller, Ahmed; White.
Inter Miami, via their official X account, shared an emotional video clip from Jordi Alba’s press conference ahead of their MLS Cup 2025 final, where he states in Spanish that the boy who dreamed of first-division soccer has realised all his ambitions, expressing deep gratitude for his career.
SoftFootball’s Prediction
SoftFootball expects a tight contest, maybe even tense at times, but Miami’s attacking edge feels decisive. Messi’s form, combined with home advantage, gives them the smallest push.
Prediction: Inter Miami 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps.
