These 5 Game-Changers Will Determine Who Lifts the 2025 MLS Cup: Inter Miami Battles Vancouver Whitecaps
It's uncommon for the MLS Cup playoffs to culminate with the league's top two teams facing off in the championship, but that's exactly what we'll witness as Inter Miami welcome Vancouver Whitecaps FC this Saturday.
Rarely have MLS Cup finals featured such exceptional talent, with four World Cup champions taking part and at least one positioned to become the first player to claim both World Cup and MLS Cup victories.
However, it's not solely the legendary talents of Lionel Messi, Thomas Müller, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez who will determine the outcome, but also the supporting cast around these superstars.
Sports Illustrated identifies five key players whose displays could shape the 2025 MLS Cup final.
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
When Lionel Messi commits to performing at his peak, he delivers spectacularly. The most accomplished player in football history, Messi seeks an MLS Cup as his third piece of silverware with Inter Miami, having previously guided them to the 2024 Supporters' Shield and 2023 Leagues Cup triumphs.
His current form is exceptional. Recording 29 goals and 19 assists across 28 regular season matches, he delivered the finest individual campaign in league history, and throughout 48 appearances in all competitions, he's tallied 43 goals and 24 assists.
Additionally, he approaches this final with an MLS postseason record of 13 goal contributions, featuring six goals and seven assists, while seeking retribution against a Vancouver team that became the first to defeat Messi in their initial two encounters during his career.
If any individual can single-handedly influence a match's outcome, it's undoubtedly him.
Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps)
If there's one player who understands how to neutralize Messi defensively, it's Andrés Cubas.
The Paraguay international has faced Messi on four occasions, recording three victories and one defeat. As one of the premier defensive midfielders in the league, he's been instrumental in Vancouver's defensive structure and represents a key factor in their seasonal success.
He records three tackles per 90 minutes and 1.6 interceptions on average, placing him among MLS's elite in these statistical categories. Furthermore, he's developed an effective partnership with U.S. men's national team midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and successfully contained Messi during the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Tadeo Allende (Inter Miami)
Rarely have players flourished this season like Tadeo Allende, and the young Argentine winger has elevated his game during the playoffs, maximizing Messi's creativity and ability to deliver through balls.
The right-sided attacker enters this match with eight postseason goals, matching the record for most in a single MLS playoff campaign, previously established by Carlos Ruiz with LA Galaxy in 2002.
Should Miami take an early lead and force Vancouver to commit more players forward, Allende's pace and skill in dropping deep before making diagonal runs could seal victory for the Herons, as demonstrated against FC Cincinnati and New York City FC.
Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
No player globally understands how to overcome a Messi-led team like Thomas Müller, who aims to add to his record as Germany's most decorated player, having achieved that distinction with the Canadian Championship in September.
Across eight competitive encounters against Messi for club and country, Müller has emerged victorious seven times. His Vancouver form has been impressive too, contributing nine goals and four assists in his opening 12 appearances across all competitions.
He'll assist the Whitecaps in maintaining possession, and his "Raumdeuter" space-interpreting approach will present Miami's vulnerable defense with an unfamiliar challenge, making him an enigmatic threat.
Nevertheless, his impact window might be limited. Managing a minor injury, he could be substituted for Ryan Gauld, another influential and potentially match-deciding player, around the 60-minute mark.
Jordi Alba (Inter Miami)
Rarely can left-backs impact matches like Jordi Alba, and the former Spanish international will aim to showcase his complete skill set in what will be his final professional game.
He netted Miami's only goal against the Whitecaps in the Champions Cup and recorded six goals plus 15 assists during the MLS regular season, before adding five more assists throughout the MLS Cup playoffs.
Given his attacking capabilities and chemistry with Messi and other game-changers, he could exploit Vancouver's fullback positions, likely occupied by rookie Tate Johnson and 22-year-old Édier Ocampo.