Overview
- Miami prevailed 3-1 in Fort Lauderdale to secure the club’s first MLS championship over Vancouver.
- An early Ocampo own goal put Miami ahead before Ali Ahmed equalized for the Whitecaps after halftime.
- Messi’s press won the ball to spring Rodrigo De Paul for the go-ahead finish, then he supplied the stoppage-time assist for Allende to close out the result.
- Goalkeeper Drake Ríos Novo produced key first-half saves as Vancouver threatened through chances fashioned by Thomas Müller and Sabbi.
- Head coach Javier Mascherano guided a veteran Miami core to manage the late stages, with Messi’s performance underscoring his MLS tenure milestones.