The 2025 MLS Cup presented by Audi promises to be a clash of titans, pitting Eastern Conference champions Inter Miami CF against Western Conference champions Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Lionel Messi’s star-studded Herons, riding an unprecedented playoff scoring spree, host Thomas Müller’s resilient Caps in a matchup blending Hollywood flair with gritty underdog resolve. This is Inter Miami’s first-ever appearance in the MLS Cup final, while Vancouver seeks its inaugural league title after a breakthrough season. With both teams boasting potent attacks and defensive vulnerabilities exposed in the playoffs, expect fireworks under the Florida sun.
Venue and Kickoff Details
Venue: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida (home of Inter Miami CF, capacity: 21,550). The open-air stadium, known for its electric atmosphere and Messi’s magic moments, will host its first MLS Cup final.
Date and Time: Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. ET (11:30 a.m. PT / 7:30 p.m. GMT).
Broadcast: FOX (U.S.), MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, TSN/RDS (Canada).
Weather Forecast
Fort Lauderdale’s December weather is typically mild and inviting for soccer, and conditions for kickoff look ideal. Expect partly cloudy skies with temperatures around 83°F (28°C) at game time, cooling to 70°F (21°C) by halftime. Winds from the east at 7-9 mph, humidity near 68%, and just a 3% chance of precipitation—perfect for a fluid, end-to-end affair. No delays anticipated, though the afternoon humidity could test endurance in the Florida heat.
Injury Report
Both squads enter with key absences, particularly in defense for Vancouver, which could tilt the balance toward Miami’s attack. Inter Miami has managed its knocks well in the playoffs, with Messi fully fit after earlier-season scares.
| Team | Player | Injury/Status | Expected Return |
| Inter Miami CF | David Ruiz | Hamstring (OUT) | Postseason |
| Ryan Sailor | Knee (OUT) | Postseason | |
| Lionel Messi | Fully fit | N/A | |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Sam Adekugbe | Achilles (OUT) | 2026 |
| Belal Halbouni | Knee (OUT) | 2026 | |
| Daniel Ríos | Calf (OUT) | Postseason | |
| Sebastian Schonlau | Calf (OUT) | Postseason | |
| Ranko Veselinović | Knee (OUT) | 2026 | |
| CJ Dos Santos | Head (OUT) | Postseason |
Vancouver’s center-back crisis—four key defenders sidelined—forces reliance on makeshift pairings, while Miami’s midfield remains robust.
Key Player Matchups
This final hinges on individual battles that could swing momentum. Miami’s attacking trio will test Vancouver’s depleted backline, while the Caps’ midfield maestros aim to disrupt the Herons’ rhythm.
Lionel Messi (MIA) vs. Yohei Takaoka (VAN GK): The GOAT’s playoff form (13 goal contributions, MLS record) meets Vancouver’s shot-stopper, who boasts a 78% save rate. Messi’s 29 regular-season goals and seven playoff assists make him the MVP frontrunner—if Takaoka can’t handle his curling free kicks, it’s over.
Thomas Müller (VAN AM) vs. Sergio Busquets (MIA DM): Müller’s Bavarian efficiency (15 goal contributions since August) clashes with Busquets’ metronomic passing (92% accuracy in playoffs). The 2014 World Cup winners know each other well; Müller’s off-ball runs could exploit Busquets’ occasional mobility limits.
Tadeo Allende (MIA FW) vs. Vancouver CB Pairing (e.g., Tristan Blackmon/Alec Becher): Allende’s playoff hat trick vs. NYCFC (8 goals total, tying MLS record) targets a thin Caps defense. Blackmon’s leadership is vital, but with partners like 19-year-old Joedrick Pupe potentially stepping in, Allende’s pace could carve openings.
Ali Ahmed/Emmanuel Sabbi (VAN Wings) vs. Jordi Alba/Ian Fray (MIA FBs): Vancouver’s speedy wingers (Ahmed: 7 assists; Sabbi: 5 goals) will bomb forward against Alba’s overlapping runs and Fray’s solidity. If the fullbacks push high, counterattacks could punish Miami’s high line.
Andrés Cubas/Sebastian Berhalter (VAN CMs) vs. Rodrigo De Paul (MIA CM): Cubas’ tenacity (top-5 tackles/game) and Berhalter’s vision (11 assists) form MLS’ best duo, tasked with shadowing De Paul’s box-to-box energy (6 goals, 8 assists). This midfield scrap decides possession (Miami: 58% playoff avg.; Vancouver: 52%).
Honorable mention: Mateo Silvetti (MIA FW, 2g/3a in last three) vs. Ryan Gauld (VAN sub, super-sub threat)—youth vs. experience in the final third.
Team Records and Standings
Both sides finished with 65 points in the regular season, but Miami’s goal differential (+26) edged Vancouver’s (+19) for Supporters’ Shield contention. Inter Miami topped the East; Vancouver the West.
| Team | Regular Season Record | Goals For/Against | Playoff Path Summary |
| Inter Miami CF | 19-7-8 (3rd East) | 81/55 | Beat Nashville (2-1 series), Cincinnati (4-0), NYCFC (5-1) |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 18-7-9 (1st West) | 66/47 | Beat Dallas (2-0 series), LAFC (2-2, 4-3 PK), San Diego (3-1) |
Miami’s attack led MLS (2.38 goals/game); Vancouver ranked third (1.94).
Recent Form
Inter Miami enters peaking, outscoring playoff foes 17-3 across four games—winning the last three by 4+ goals each. Their 5-1 demolition of NYCFC featured Allende’s hat trick and Messi’s assist masterclass, capping a 13-1 run over three matches. Regular-season woes (mid-table slump in summer) are forgotten under Javier Mascherano’s tweaks.
Vancouver’s form is equally hot: unbeaten in playoffs (3 wins, 1 draw), with a gritty 4-3 PK shootout vs. LAFC highlighting resilience despite injuries. Their 3-1 Western Final win over San Diego showcased Müller’s influence (goal + assist). Jesper Sørensen’s “next-man-up” ethos has yielded a club-record 63 points and four straight Canadian Championships.
Last five (all comps):
Miami: W-W-W-W-L (13 goals scored in last 3)
Vancouver: W-D-W-W-W (8 goals in playoffs)
Series History
Limited but spicy: Three meetings since 2024, with Vancouver holding a 2-1 edge. The Caps stunned Miami 5-1 aggregate in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals (3-1 away, 2-0 home), exposing Miami’s defense. Regular-season clash: Vancouver 2-1 win in March. Total: Vancouver 6 goals, Miami 3. Revenge fuels the Herons.
| Date | Competition | Result | Key Notes |
| Apr 30, 2025 | Concacaf Semis (Leg 2) | VAN 3-1 MIA | Vancouver advances 5-1 agg. |
| Mar 15, 2025 | MLS Regular Season | VAN 2-1 MIA | Müller scores winner. |
| Oct 2024 | MLS Regular Season | MIA 2-1 VAN | Messi’s brace seals it. |
Betting Trends
Overs have cashed in 80% of combined playoff games (Miami: 4/4; Vancouver: 3/4), with 89% public money on O 3.5. Injury skew favors Miami, but Vancouver’s +175 ML sees 30% bet volume from value hunters.
MATCH ODDS
Inter Miami FC – 135 Draw + 295 Vancouver Whitecaps FC + 290
Over 3.5 + 105 Under 3.5 – 135
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
