Major League Soccer has reached its final stage. Everything is set, and Inter Miami CF will host Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium on Dec. 6 in the 2025 MLS Cup.
Lionel Messi’s team made history by reaching the championship final for the first time since its founding in 2020. They achieved this after eliminating Nashville SC in the best-of-three round, FC Cincinnati in the semifinals, and New York City FC in the Conference Final, crowning the Herons as Eastern Conference champions.
Meanwhile, the Whitecaps reached this stage after eliminating FC Dallas in the best-of-three round, LAFC in the semifinals, and San Diego FC in the Western Conference Final.
As expected, Thomas Muller has grabbed all the headlines, as in his first MLS season, he managed to help his team reach the championship final.
This represents a 23% increase from last year. Partly, the difference stems from seeing Messi and his teammates in the late stages of the competition this year, whereas last season they were eliminated in the best-of-three round against Atlanta United.
Furthermore, the arrival of other superstars like Son Heung-min and Muller is also a factor. We also cannot overlook the emergence of San Diego FC as, objectively speaking, one of MLS’s best teams in its inaugural season.
Although Muller’s contract with Vancouver ends at the end of this month, it is expected to be extended for one more year. Additionally, Son is under contract with LAFC through 2027 and Messi with Miami through 2028, so interest in MLS does not appear likely to drop suddenly in the coming years.