06/12/2025
IF I CONSIDER PURELY TEAM AND PASSION, SØRENSEN AND HIS “BELIEVE” MOTTO ARE EDGING OVER MESSI AND MIAMI.
This isn’t just another MLS Cup Final, it is the biggest one the league and North America has ever seen, with eyes around the world tuning in. With Messi and Müller facing each other, this match is predicted to be the most watched match in the history of the MLS. But the storylines are endless, it doesn’t just contain these two superstars. Let’s start at the back and work our way forward.
Under the goal posts, Vancouver Whitecaps has the clear edge in experience. The 29-year-old Japanese keeper Yohei Takaoka has been the Whitecaps’ anchor, leading MLS in clean sheets while jump-starting attacks with his composure and distribution - showing why he is a proper ball-playing goalkeeper. Miami counters with 23-year-old Argentinian youth international Rocco Ríos Novo, who seized the starting spot in September and hasn’t looked back. A former USL Championship MVP, he’s no stranger to big moments.
On the backline, the biggest question for Vancouver is how MLS Defender of the Year Tristan Blackmon will slot back in after a shaky second half and red card against Son’s LAFC. With Mathías Laborda, Ralph Priso, and Edier Ocampo forming a steady unit during this Cup run, Tate Johnson may be the odd man out. Miami’s central pairing of 21-year-old Greek youth international Noah Allen and 28-year-old Uruguayan Maxi Falcón has quietly become one of the league’s most reliable duos. Expect a change at wingback.
On the left wingback, this will be the final match of Jordi Alba’s legendary career. The former FC Barcelona star has been a joy to watch, and there is no doubt he will definitely empty the tank one last time.
The midfield is where this match will be won. A proper like-to-like midfield battle with Vancouver edging over Miami!
For Vancouver, the partnership of Andrés Cubas and Sebastian Berhalter has already shut down Inter Miami twice this season. Add in Thomas Müller, who didn’t play in those earlier meetings but has since become the team’s rhythm-setter and transition link, and the Whitecaps enter with real confidence.
Miami relies on a single holding midfielder but that midfielder is Sergio Busquets, one of the greatest to ever play the position. Like Alba, this will be the last match of his illustrious career. His battle with Müller will be fascinating. Alongside him, Rodrigo De Paul adds relentless work rate, mirrored on the other side by another Argentine engine in Baltasar Rodríguez. Miami typically relies on Busquets’ brain and the shining in the engine room of De Paul and Baltasar.
Goals are expected, and for a great reason. Ali Ahmed and Emmanuel Sabbi have been shredding defenses all postseason, and a fully healthy Brian White, second in MLS in goals per 90 this year is crucial to the Whitecaps’ attack.
However, the individual who led the league in goals per 90 is Leo Messi. There is nothing to say about the greatest of all time. If he is not scoring, he is assisting. He is everything a team needs and rightly so he had a contribution behind each and every of Miami’s goals.
Everything Miami does funnels through him. His presence has elevated Tadeo Allende, whose 8 playoff goals have tied an MLS postseason record. But Allende missed Thursday training with the flu, so his sharpness is worth monitoring. Miami also benefits from the youthful spark of 19-year-old Mateo Silvetti, who joins Messi and Allende up front.
It feels surreal that an MLS Cup Final could feature Whitecaps Ryan Gauld and and yet another football legend Luis Suárez coming off the bench, but that’s the depth of these squads. At this stage in their careers, Gauld offers more two-way value, and if the match goes to extra time, Vancouver’s deeper bench could become a major advantage.
Jesper Sørensen and Javier Mascherano have already matched wits twice this season. Whitecaps fans will be hoping the third meeting brings the same result as the first two.
