Chase Stadium-Inter Miami captured the Philip F Anschutz Trophy on Saturday afternoon with a 3–1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps, securing the title of MLS Cup champions. Lionel Messi was named MLS Finals MVP after delivering two assists. Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende each found the net for Miami, while a deflected effort off Edier Ocampo resulted in an own goal for Vancouver.
Starting XI
Javier Mascherano made one change to his starting lineup for the MLS Cup Final, replacing Marcelo Weigandt with Ian Fray at right back. Weigandt had started the previous two playoff matches for Miami. Rocco Ríos Novo anchored the side in goal, with Jordi Alba, Noah Allen, Maxi Falcón, and Fray forming the defensive back line. Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo De Paul, Baltasar Rodríguez, and Tadeo Allende composed the midfield, while Mateo Silvetti and Lionel Messi led the attack up front.
The Herons bring in Ian Fray at right back in place of Chelo Weigandt…A tactical move by Mascherano to counter Ahmed..#MLSCUP #MLS #InterMiamiCF #Lemoncitylive
pic.twitter.com/hhyQFMNRQy— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) December 6, 2025
Match Action
The Herons struck early when a Tadeo Allende cross into the box was deflected into the Vancouver net by defender Edier Ocampo. Moments earlier, Lionel Messi had worked his way out of pressure near the sideline and laid the ball off to Rodrigo De Paul, who slipped a through ball into space for the charging Allende.
A beautiful combination out of the back & De Paul gives Allende a pass in space… Allende attempts the cross & Ocampo unwittingly scores an own goal to give #InterMiamiCF the 1-0 lead…#MLSCupFinal #MLS #Lemoncitylive
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) December 6, 2025
The Herons took control of the match early, playing with intensity and pressing Vancouver high up the field, forcing the Whitecaps into repeated struggles to play out of their defensive zone. However, around the 25th minute, the momentum shifted, and Vancouver grew into the match, creating several dangerous chances. Miami, however, held firm and managed to reach halftime with a 1–0 lead.
1-0 at the half.. #InterMiamiCF is half way there..#MLS #MLSCupFinal #Lemoncitylive pic.twitter.com/N2MnHwMhBM
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) December 6, 2025
Level Up
The Whitecaps pulled level in the 60th minute when Ali Ahmed converted a Brian White assist to bring Vancouver back into the match.
Vancouver ties it up in the 60th minute with Ahmed finishing for the Whitecaps…1-1..Crunch time..#Messi #InterMiamiCF #MLSCupFinal #Lemoncitylive
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) December 6, 2025
Vancouver came close to taking the lead just two minutes later, as Emmanuel Sabbi’s shot rattled both goalposts before Sabbi nearly poked the rebound into the net.
Vancouver was this close to taking the lead, but 2025 was destined for Busquets & Alba to go out as Champions of #MLSCupFinal ..#Messi GOAT 🐐..#MLS #InterMiamiCF
pic.twitter.com/bA6ZPFzMyd— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) December 7, 2025
GOAT Time
Lionel Messi helped restore Inter Miami’s lead in the 71st minute with a pivotal defensive play, stripping Pablo Cubas of the ball before threading a pass to Rodrigo De Paul, who buried a right-footed strike to make it 2–1.
The GOAT 🐐 can beat you in so many ways, and this time he did it with timely defending & a subtle pass for De Paul..#Messi #MLSCupFinal #InterMiamiCF #Lemoncitylive
pic.twitter.com/s5NICQ01mq— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) December 7, 2025
Tadeo Allende delivered the dagger in the 96th minute, breaking the MLS postseason scoring record with his ninth goal of the 2025 playoffs. Jordi Alba, in the final pass of his professional career, launched a long cross-field ball to Lionel Messi, who controlled it with his chest and, without letting it touch the ground, lofted a perfectly weighted pass to the surging Allende. The Argentine winger finished with a curling strike to seal the victory and cap a historic night for Miami.
Inter Miami—MLS champions for the first time in club history.
The GOAT #MESSI GIVES #InterMiamiCF the 3-1 lead & cliches #MLSCUP for the Herons…He breaks the #MLS POSTSEASON RECORD WITH HIS 9th GOAL!!! CHAMPIONS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) December 6, 2025
Postgame
One of the most beloved players among Inter Miami’s hardcore supporters is Ian Fray. The young, affable defender is a homegrown fan favorite who has endured an extraordinary string of hardships early in his career. Fray suffered ACL injuries in 2021, 2022, and 2023, followed by a meniscus injury in 2024 — all of which required surgery. Yet despite every setback, he fought his way through grueling rehabs and returned to the team each time.
Now, he stands as an MLS Cup champion — a starter in Inter Miami’s first-ever league title. It has been a long, winding road to redemption.
Look around you — this is beautiful, Fray told FOX’s Maurice Edu after the match. We’ve gone through some really tough times at this club, and now to see this… it all happened for a reason.
Fray went through tough times, too; he never gave up, not on himself and not on the club. The club never gave up on him, either, and now they are both enjoying a success that seemed destined to come.
Final Thoughts
Inter Miami are MLS champions for the first time, and the Rosa y Negro sits atop the league. The villains of MLS have taken the throne — and a new era of American fútbol is officially underway
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