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Vancouver Whitecaps advance to MLS Cup, will face Messi and Miami

The Vancouver Whitecaps will play in their first MLS Cup after defeating San Diego FC, 3-1, in the Western Conference final on Saturday, Nov. 29.

Brian White — Vancouver’s leading goal-scorer during the regular season — had a brace in the win at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.

The Whitecaps’ reward as the Western Conference’s representative in MLS Cup is a showdown with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, which easily dispatched New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final. The 2025 MLS Cup will be held at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday, Dec. 6 (2:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV and FOX).

Reaching MLS Cup is the latest milestone in what has been a monumental season under first-year head coach Jesper Sørensen. Earlier this year, Vancouver played in the Concacaf Champions Cup final, losing to Cruz Azul of Liga MX. Vancouver eliminated Messi and Inter Miami in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals. The Whitecaps also won a fourth consecutive Canadian Championship.

Vancouver also is the first Canada-based MLS club since Toronto FC in 2019 to reach MLS Cup.

San Diego FC was aiming to become the first MLS expansion team to reach the league final since the Chicago Fire won MLS Cup in 1998. Instead, that quest fell two wins short of unprecedented championship glory.

Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps will be the 20th and 21st different clubs to appear in MLS Cup.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. San Diego FC Western Conference final highlights

When is MLS Cup 2025?

  • Date and time: Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • TV and streaming: FOX and Apple TV

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