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Inter Miami vs Whitecaps: MLS Cup 2025 Result, Highlights, Key Facts

Owen Evan Fraser Mitchell • 2026-05-23 • Reviewed by Maya Thompson

A Saturday afternoon in Fort Lauderdale turned into a celebration of history as Inter Miami CF defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1 to capture their first MLS Cup. Lionel Messi orchestrated two of the three goals, and the final whistle sealed a season that already included the Supporters’ Shield.

Final score: Inter Miami 3–1 Vancouver Whitecaps ·
Date: December 6, 2025 ·
Venue: Chase Stadium ·
Messi assists: 2 ·
MLS Cup title: First for Inter Miami

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth of richest MLS club owner (Forbes rankings vary)
  • Which TV channel will carry future Whitecaps vs Inter Miami matches (Apple TV confirmed for 2025 only)
  • Whether Vancouver will make significant roster changes after the final
3Timeline signal
  • December 6, 2025: MLS Cup final played at Chase Stadium (ESPN)
  • 2025 season: Inter Miami wins Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup (MLSsoccer.com)
  • 2023: Lionel Messi joins Inter Miami (ESPN)
  • 2018: Inter Miami founded by David Beckham (ESPN)
4What’s next
  • Inter Miami will defend their title in the 2026 MLS season (kickoff expected February 2026)
  • Vancouver Whitecaps will aim to bounce back and capture their first MLS Cup
  • A regular-season rematch is likely in 2026

The following table summarizes the essential match details.

Seven key facts at a glance, drawn from official match reports.
Label Value
Match Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS Cup 2025)
Date December 6, 2025
Venue Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale
Final Score 3–1 (Inter Miami)
Messi Assists 2
Inter Miami MLS Cups 1
Whitecaps MLS Cups 0

The two clubs have starkly different histories, as shown below.

Comparison between Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps
Attribute Inter Miami CF Vancouver Whitecaps FC
MLS Cup titles 1 0
Supporters’ Shields 1 0
Canadian Championships N/A Multiple (most recent 2024)
Year founded (MLS) 2018 (joined 2020) 2011
Home stadium Chase Stadium BC Place

Where can I watch Whitecaps vs Inter Miami?

The 2025 MLS Cup final aired in the United States on FOX and FOX Deportes, and was streamed on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass. Inter Miami CF (official club site) confirmed that MLS made every playoff match available for free to Apple TV subscribers.

How to watch MLS Cup?

For future MLS Cup finals, the primary streaming home remains MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (official MLS streaming partner). Broadcast details may vary by year; check local listings closer to the event. Highlights can be found on the Whitecaps FC official website and on ESPN and BBC Sport.

Bottom line: The 2025 MLS Cup final was exclusive to Apple TV (MLS Season Pass) and FOX. For future viewers, the subscription service remains the most reliable way to watch every match live.

The reliance on Apple TV underscores the league’s streaming strategy, but traditional broadcast remains available for major finals.

What was the score and highlights of Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps?

Inter Miami beat Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1 in the 2025 MLS Cup final at Chase Stadium. The match unfolded with an own goal, a second-half equalizer, and two late strikes from the home side.

What were the lineups?

Inter Miami started with their star-studded lineup including Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Tadeo Allende. Vancouver fielded Ali Ahmed and Édier Ocampo. Full lineups are available on ESPN (sports news outlet).

What are the stats?

  • Goals: Inter Miami 3, Whitecaps 1 (MLSsoccer.com)
  • Shots on target: Inter Miami 7, Whitecaps 4 (ESPN)
  • Possession: Inter Miami 58%, Whitecaps 42% (ESPN)
  • Messi assists: 2 (FOX Sports (broadcast partner))

Where can I find highlights?

Official highlights are posted on the Inter Miami CF website and on FOX Sports. Extended match coverage is available on ESPN and MLSsoccer.com.

Bottom line: The 3–1 scoreline doesn’t fully capture the drama—Messi’s two assists turned a tight game into a decisive victory. For neutral fans, the own goal and late Allende strike were the moments that defined the final.

The match statistics confirm Inter Miami’s dominance, but Vancouver’s resilience kept the outcome uncertain until the final minutes.

Does David Beckham still own Inter Miami?

Yes, David Beckham remains a co-owner of Inter Miami CF. The ownership group includes Beckham, Jorge Mas, and others. ESPN (sports news outlet) confirmed Beckham’s involvement in the club’s first MLS Cup victory.

Who is the richest club owner in the world?

Forbes rankings vary by year, but Beckham is not among the richest. In 2025, the highest net worth club owners include sovereign wealth funds and billionaires from outside football. The exact order depends on the valuation method used.

Who is the highest paid person in the MLS?

Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player in MLS in 2025, with an annual compensation package reported in the tens of millions, including salary, bonuses, and revenue-sharing agreements (ESPN).

The upshot

Beckham’s role as co-owner gives Inter Miami a global profile that few MLS clubs can match, even if his personal wealth isn’t at the very top. Messi’s arrival in 2023 was the catalyst for both a trophy run and a financial boom.

Beckham’s ownership and Messi’s presence have transformed Inter Miami into a global brand.

Who is Vancouver Whitecaps’ biggest rival?

The Vancouver Whitecaps’ biggest rival is the Portland Timbers, with whom they compete for the Cascadia Cup. The rivalry also includes the Seattle Sounders. MLSsoccer.com (official MLS coverage) highlights the Cascadia Cup as a historic regional competition.

What is the least popular MLS team?

By social media following, the least popular MLS team is often among the newer franchises or those with smaller media markets. Rankings fluctuate, but teams like Austin FC or Nashville SC sometimes rank lower. However, official data is not consistently published.

The pattern: Inter Miami’s rivalry with Vancouver is relatively new—this MLS Cup final may have sparked a future cross‑conference rivalry, but for now, Portland remains the Whitecaps’ fiercest foe.

Has Whitecaps ever won a trophy?

Yes, the Vancouver Whitecaps have won the Canadian Championship multiple times (most recently in 2023 and 2024) and have also won the Cascadia Cup. However, they have never won an MLS Cup title. ESPN (sports news outlet) confirms their MLS Cup count remains zero after the 2025 final.

Bottom line: Vancouver fans can celebrate domestic cups, but the MLS Cup drought continues. The 2025 final was their first appearance in the championship match.

The Whitecaps’ trophy drought in MLS continues, but their first final appearance marks progress.

Timeline of key events

  • 2011: Vancouver Whitecaps join MLS as an expansion team (MLSsoccer.com)
  • 2018: Inter Miami CF founded by David Beckham and partners (ESPN)
  • 2023: Lionel Messi signs with Inter Miami (ESPN)
  • 2025 season: Inter Miami wins Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup (MLSsoccer.com)
  • December 6, 2025: MLS Cup 2025: Inter Miami 3–1 Vancouver Whitecaps (ESPN)
Why this matters

The timeline shows how quickly Inter Miami rose from founding to champion—only seven years. Vancouver, in contrast, has been in MLS since 2011 and is still seeking its first title.

This timeline illustrates the contrasting trajectories of the two clubs.

Confirmed facts and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Inter Miami won MLS Cup 2025 with a 3–1 scoreline (MLSsoccer.com)
  • David Beckham is a co-owner of Inter Miami (ESPN)
  • Lionel Messi provided two assists (FOX Sports)
  • Vancouver Whitecaps have never won an MLS Cup (ESPN)

What’s unclear

  • Whether Vancouver will make major roster changes after the final
  • Which TV channel will carry the next Whitecaps vs Inter Miami match (Apple TV only confirmed for 2025)
  • Exact net worth of the richest MLS club owner (Forbes varies)
  • When the next regular-season meeting between these two teams will occur

These confirmed facts provide a solid basis for understanding the final.

“The 2025 MLS Cup final was hosted by Inter Miami as the Eastern Conference champions against Western Conference winners Vancouver Whitecaps FC.”

— MLSsoccer.com (official MLS coverage)

“Inter Miami CF to Host Vancouver Whitecaps FC for MLS Cup 2025.”

— Inter Miami CF (official club site)

For Vancouver Whitecaps, the 2025 final was a breakthrough postseason run that ended without silverware. The challenge now is to build on that momentum and convert strong performances into a first MLS Cup. For Inter Miami, the dynasty talk begins—but defending a title is always harder than winning the first one.

Additional sources

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For a detailed breakdown of the final, see the full match report and highlights from the match.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of Inter Miami vs Whitecaps?

Inter Miami 3–1 Vancouver Whitecaps.

Where can I watch highlights of the match?

Highlights are available on the Inter Miami CF website and on FOX Sports.

Who scored for Inter Miami?

Goals were scored by Édier Ocampo (own goal), Rodrigo De Paul, and Tadeo Allende.

Is Lionel Messi playing in the MLS Cup?

Yes, Messi started and played the full match, providing two assists.

How many MLS Cups have the Whitecaps won?

Vancouver Whitecaps have never won an MLS Cup. Their trophy collection includes the Canadian Championship and Cascadia Cup.

Who owns Vancouver Whitecaps?

Vancouver Whitecaps FC are owned by a group led by Greg Kerfoot, with other investors including Steve Nash and other local business figures.

When is the next match between Inter Miami and Whitecaps?

The exact schedule for the 2026 season has not been released yet. A regular-season rematch is expected, likely in 2026.

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Owen Evan Fraser Mitchell

About the author

Owen Evan Fraser Mitchell

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.