Inter Miami lifted their first MLS Cup after a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps, a triumph shaped by two assists from Lionel Messi and the final farewell of veteran teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
A packed Chase Stadium witnessed a celebratory ending to Miami’s tenure at the ground. The hosts struck early when Rodrigo De Paul lofted a precise pass into the path of Tadeo Allende.
His low ball intended for Mateo Silvetti forced Vancouver defender Edier Ocampo into an own goal. It set the tone but did not settle matters. Vancouver responded with authority, forcing Miami keeper Rocco Rios Novo into two outstanding stops to deny Emmanuel Sabbi and Thomas Muller.
Messi surprisingly headed wide early in the second half before Vancouver drew level. Ali Ahmed’s scuffed attempt squeezed inside the right post after Rios Novo failed to palm it to safety. Moments later Vancouver almost turned the final on its head when Sabbi’s shot rattled both posts without crossing the line.
As so often, the stage then shifted to Messi. Spotting his compatriot De Paul drifting unmarked, he threaded a perfectly weighted pass through Vancouver’s back line. De Paul guided the finish beyond Yohei Takaoka to restore the lead. Messi then turned provider again in added time, sliding a pass to Allende who swept home the clincher deep into stoppage time.
It was a fitting conclusion for a side built around former Barcelona icons now bowing out. Busquets and Alba played the final matches of their careers and their long time colleague was the one who ensured they departed with silverware.
Messi extended his remarkable record in major finals to 18 wins from 26 appearances, excluding Super Cups. His pair of assists moved him to 23 for the season, the best return in MLS, and underlined once more how decisive he remains on the biggest stage.
