MLS Cup Champions Revealed: Power Ranking Every Conference Finalist's Title Chances
The 2025 MLS Cup playoffs have reached their climactic phase as clubs envision the sweet taste of potential triumph on December 5th.
Victory celebrations aren't being organized quite yet with the Western and Eastern Conference championship rounds approaching. Vancouver Whitecaps, San Diego FC, Inter Miami and New York City FC continue their quest, each squad possessing attributes that could deliver championship success.
Among these four contenders, one has previously claimed the title while three have never hoisted the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy. The upcoming pair of matches promises tremendous excitement for fans throughout the league.
Sports Illustrated evaluates each remaining club in the MLS Cup playoffs and their prospects of capturing the most coveted prize in American soccer.
4. New York City FC
New York City FC has experienced numerous positive moments this campaign, but capturing MLS Cup this year would exceed even the most ambitious expectations.
NYCFC delivered an outstanding performance against Philadelphia Union. Much credit goes to U.S. men's national team keeper Matt Freese, who produced four crucial saves, ensuring Maxi Moralez's solitary strike stood as the winner.
Freese must contain the threat from Lionel Messi, who has recorded six goals and six assists during the playoffs, if they hope to reach the championship match.
With Alonso Martínez available, their chances against Inter Miami would improve significantly. The Costa Rican suffered a season-ending injury while on international duty, leaving NYCFC without their key player.
Nevertheless, NYCFC represents a squad better equipped to challenge Miami than either Nashville or Cincinnati, and shouldn't suffer as heavy a defeat if they lose. Should they progress, another difficult examination awaits against Vancouver Whitecaps FC or San Diego FC—once again away from home.
3. San Diego FC
San Diego FC represents an exceptional club and stands as the finest expansion franchise in MLS history, yet they aren't considered championship favorites despite earning the top seed in the Western Conference.
Portland Timbers demonstrated San Diego's vulnerabilities with their Game 2 victory in the opening round, and San Diego has performed better away than at home—an uncommon occurrence they must overcome against Vancouver in the conference championship.
Following a three-game requirement in round one, they also found difficulty breaking down Minnesota United's counter-pressing defensive setup in the second contest. They might possess the qualities to face Inter Miami in a final, but overcoming the Whitecaps presents challenges given their comparable playing styles.
MLS Newcomer of the Year Anders Dreyer has displayed magnificent form, contributing four goals and two assists across four playoff contests, following his 19 goals and equal assists during regular season play.
Under manager Mikey Varas's guidance, they aim to silence critics and become only the second expansion team to claim MLS Cup and the fourth Western Conference regular-season champion to win the Western Conference Final in two decades.
2. Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps possess something none of the other remaining MLS Cup playoff teams can claim: They've captured silverware this season.
Through securing their fourth consecutive Canadian Championship, the Whitecaps experienced the feeling of victory with their current roster. Simultaneously, they're determined to redeem their 5–0 defeat to Cruz Azul in June's Concacaf Champions Cup final.
Currently, they're experiencing unprecedented momentum, having defeated LAFC in an exciting penalty shootout to eliminate the team that ended their campaigns in 2023 and 2024, securing their first final four appearance since joining MLS in 2011.
With Thomas Müller inspiring a mindset transformation, the successful reintegration of DP midfielder Ryan Gauld, and top scorer Brian White's return, optimism exists despite star center-back Tristan Blackmon's suspension for the Western Conference final.
Their organization under first-year head coach Jesper Sørensen has provided stability this season, and having their top players back in the starting eleven could provide significant momentum.
Defeating LAFC felt like their championship moment in many respects, and with their current confidence and form, they should overcome San Diego. Further advancement could see them host over 54,000 fans against New York City FC, or visit a Miami side they defeated twice in Champions Cup semifinal action.
1. Inter Miami
Lionel Messi and his former Barcelona teammates are pursuing glory. The Argentine superstar has assembled the greatest season by an offensive player in league history and continues demonstrating his championship desire.
Should Miami fall short, it would represent only the second occasion in his professional career ending a calendar year without team silverware. The sole previous instance occurred during the COVID-affected 2020 campaign.
Messi accumulated 29 goals and 19 assists across 29 regular season appearances, adding six more goals and assists through the first two playoff rounds against Nashville SC and FC Cincinnati. Meanwhile, the retiring pair of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have raised their performances during crucial moments.
While manager Javier Mascherano has made errors this season, the Herons are finding their rhythm, largely due to his decision to deploy Mateo Silvetti alongside Messi rather than Luis Suárez.
Advancing past New York City FC won't match the ease of their initial two rounds, but they remain clear favorites to claim MLS Cup and would accomplish this feat in their final match at Chase Stadium.