Inter Miami vs. Vancouver: Who has the edge in MLS Cup?

MLS Cup 2025 is set following the Conference Finals, with the Vancouver Whitecaps and Inter Miami preparing to face off in the league's title match this Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Here are three storylines I'm keeping tabs on as Vancouver look to join Seattle among the ranks of Cascadian sides to take down Messi and the Barca Boys in a Cup final.

Pressure is all on Inter Miami

With their torrid form in the playoffs and Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retiring after this match, there's a massive sense of urgency for Inter Miami to push this over the line.

The Whitecaps have already gotten the better of Inter Miami in cup play once this year in Concacaf Champions Cup, but the Herons are still the favorites going into MLS Cup. This isn't the same Inter Miami side that flopped against the 'Caps in CCC. Since losing Game 2 of their Round One series vs. Nashville, Miami have outscored opponents 13-1, with Lionel Messi accounting for 6g/7a this postseason by himself. Tadeo Allende has erupted for eight goals. Mateo Silvetti has been a revelation since replacing Luis Suárez in the starting lineup. And perhaps most importantly, they're suddenly playing rock-solid defense, something that hasn't always been the case since the Barca Boys came into the fold. It certainly was not the case when these two sides met in CCC.

With homefield advantage to boot, Inter Miami might not have a better opportunity to get the MLS Cup monkey off their back, which would go a long way in bucking the narrative that their trophy case hasn't matched their ambition during the Messi era.

Vancouver's midfield vs. Miami's attack

All the talk will be about Thomas Müller vs. Messi, but Vancouver's hopes might ultimately hinge on one of the league's best and most complete midfield duos in Sebastian Berhalter and Andres Cubas, who I think are going to be central to any path the 'Caps have to victory. That pair is one of the few in MLS that can rival the attributes and impactfulness of Cristian Roldan and Obed Vargas, who famously fared quite well against this Messi-led attack in the Leagues Cup 2025 final. For Vancouver to spring the upset, their midfield maestros have to follow a similar blueprint.

Berhalter actually reminds me quite a bit of Vargas in terms of his elite ability in possession and as a facilitator. He's also lethal on set pieces, which can always be an equalizer when you're playing as a road underdog.

If you need any evidence of Cubas' quality, just take a look at his work on Vancouver's opener against San Diego in the West Final, which he created pretty much singlehandedly, and was a perfect illustration of his remarkable two-way impact for the 'Caps. Watching these two go up against Messi and Co. is by far the tactical battle I'm most looking forward to watching come Saturday.

Inter Miami's X-factor

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has at least one interesting personnel decision on his hands regarding whether to start Suárez or Silvetti. On one hand, it's hard to imagine any coach sitting a player of Suárez's status in a match like this. Even at his advanced age, Suárez was genuinely effective in a playmaking role this season and one of Miami's most consistent overall performers (when he wasn't getting suspended). But Inter Miami's uptick in form in the playoffs can pretty much be traced directly back to Silvetti's insertion into the starting XI, which only came out of necessity after Suárez got himself suspended for Game 3 against Nashville.

Since then, Silvetti has been a force multiplier for the Herons, contributing 2g/3a and flashing impressive chemistry with Messi and Allende. It might be tempting to lean on Suárez's experience and pedigree, but Silvetti's simply been too good not to ride the hot hand. Mascherano has earned some deserved scrutiny for his squad management at times this season, but the coach deserves some credit for giving the 19-year-old Argentine an opportunity and letting him keep running with it.