Lionel Messi is on the cusp of adding another trophy to his illustrious career as Inter Miami prepares to face the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final. The highly anticipated match, scheduled for Saturday, marks a significant moment for both clubs, as it is their first-ever appearance in the league's championship game.
For Messi, this final represents the potential end of an era and perhaps the start of something new. Inter Miami is set to move to a new stadium near Miami International Airport next season, making this the last match at their current home. Furthermore, the game could be the last time Messi plays alongside longtime teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who are both expected to retire after Saturday's match. There is also the possibility that Luis Suárez will be leaving the team. Alba expressed his gratitude for his career and the privilege of playing for various teams, hoping to conclude his career on a high note with a victory in the final.
Inter Miami's path to the final has been marked by significant improvement in the latter part of the season. Coach Javier Mascherano deserves credit for the team's transformation into a structured, possession-based unit that revolves around Messi's brilliance. A tactical shift saw Messi return to a false 9 role in a 4-3-3 formation, reminiscent of his peak years, which has unleashed his offensive capabilities. This adjustment has not only benefited Messi, who has scored six goals and provided seven assists in five playoff games, but has also fortified the team's defense. By constricting the game to specific areas, Miami has been able to regain possession more effectively and limit breakaway opportunities, resulting in only four goals conceded in their five playoff matches, while scoring 17.
Vancouver enters the final with considerable momentum, particularly since the arrival of German World Cup winner Thomas Müller. Since Müller joined the team in mid-August, the Whitecaps have recorded nine wins, one loss, and five draws across all competitions, boasting a plus-24 goal differential. Their only defeat came when they were reduced to 10 men early in a match. Vancouver's success has come in spite of injuries.
The upcoming match between Inter Miami and Vancouver promises to be a historic event, with both teams vying for their first MLS Cup title. The game will take place at Chase Stadium on Saturday, December 6, at 2:30 p.m. ET. Approximately 1,500 Whitecaps fans are expected to be in attendance at Chase Stadium in Florida. Meanwhile, 18,000 tickets have been sold for a Whitecaps watch party back at their home stadium, B.C. Place.
The final also presents some unique historical possibilities. If Vancouver triumphs, Müller will be the first player to have won both a World Cup and an MLS Cup. Conversely, if Inter Miami emerges victorious, Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Busquets will be the first trio to have claimed both a World Cup and an MLS championship.
