The 2025 MLS Cup — the 30th edition of Major League Soccer's championship game — pits arguably the greatest player his sport has ever seen — Lionel Messi — and his Inter Miami squad against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Both clubs are hoping to hoist their first Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, as Inter Miami and the Whitecaps are making their first appearance in MLS Cup.

The 2025 season for Messi's Inter Miami has had a "Last Dance"-type feel to it with Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets playing in their final game after having announced their retirements. Certainly, Messi will want to see his longtime friends go out champions. On the other side, Vancouver features German soccer icon Thomas Müller, who joined the team in the summer.

Here's everything you need to know for the 2025 MLS Cup between Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, Dec. 6:

How to watch MLS Cup 2025: Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps TV, streaming

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
  • Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • TV: FOX
  • Streaming: Apple TV

Stream MLS Cup on Apple TV

2025 MLS Cup final kicks off

Major League Soccer's championship game is underway in Fort Lauderdale with Lionel Messi 90 minutes away from winning his MLS title.

Inter Miami has looked lively in the first four minutes and Tadeo Allende blasting a shot over the bar from a tight angle after a positive passage of play.

Inter Miami lineup today

Vancouver Whitecaps starting lineup for MLS Cup final

MLS Cup 2025 predictions

Here's how USA TODAY Network soccer experts see the 2025 MLS Cup playing out:

➤ Jim Reineking: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps. Really feel like this could be a fun game to watch with plenty of action and goals. Both teams come into this championship showdown on absolute heaters. Vancouver has a "team of destiny" feel to it, but Lionel Messi profoundly tilts the balance of power Miami's way.

➤ Jacob Shames: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps. Miami is as hot as it's been all season, having won each of its last three games by four goals heading into the final. Thomas Muller and the Whitecaps attack can keep pace, but Lionel Messi will be too much to deal with as Miami wins, 3-2.

➤ Seth Vertelney: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps. The Herons have found the formula for victory lately, with Luis Suarez moving to the bench to provide Lionel Messi with younger, more dynamic attacking partners. That has led to three straight wins by a combined score of 13-1. It's hard to see anybody stopping them in this kind of form.

➤ James Weber: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps. I don’t think even a team as good as the Whitecaps can slow down Lionel Messi, especially at home. Putting Mateo Silvetti in the lineup really made Miami unstoppable down the stretch.

MLS Cup: Results of every championship game since 1996

  • 2024: Los Angeles Galaxy over New York Red Bulls (Dignity Health Sports Park), 2-1.
  • 2023: Columbus Crew over Los Angeles FC (Lower.com Field), 2-1
  • 2022: Los Angeles FC over Philadelphia Union (Banc of California Stadium), 3-3 (LAFC won penalty shootout, 3-0)
  • 2021: New York City FC over Portland Timbers (Providence Park), 1-1 (NYCFC won penalty shootout, 4-2)
  • 2020: Columbus Crew over Seattle Sounders FC (Mapfre Stadium), 3-0
  • 2019: Seattle Sounders FC over Toronto FC (CenturyLink Field), 3-1
  • 2018: Atlanta United over Portland Timbers (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 2-0
  • 2017: Toronto FC over Seattle Sounders FC (BMO Field), 2-0
  • 2016: Seattle Sounders FC over Toronto FC (BMO Field), 0-0 (Sounders won penalty shootout, 5-4)
  • 2015: Portland Timbers over Columbus Crew (Mapfre Stadium), 2-1
  • 2014: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (StubHub Center), 2-1 (extra time)
  • 2013: Sporting Kansas City over Real Salt Lake (Sporting Park), 1-1 (SKC won penalty shootout, 7-6)
  • 2012: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 3-1
  • 2011: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 1-0
  • 2010: Colorado Rapids over FC Dallas (BMO Field), 2-1 (extra time)
  • 2009: Real Salt Lake over Los Angeles Galaxy (Qwest Field), 1-1 (RSL won penalty shootout, 5-4)
  • 2008: Columbus Crew over New York Red Bulls (Home Depot Center), 3-1
  • 2007: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution (RFK Stadium), 2-1
  • 2006: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-1 (Dynamo won penalty shootout, 4-3)
  • 2005: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-0 (extra time)
  • 2004: D.C. United over Kansas City Wizards (Home Depot Center), 3-2
  • 2003: San Jose Earthquakes over Chicago Fire (Home Depot Center), 4-2
  • 2002: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (Gillette Stadium), 1-0 (extra time)
  • 2001: San Jose Earthquakes over Los Angeles Galaxy (Crew Stadium), 2-1 (extra time)
  • 2000: Kansas City Wizards over Chicago Fire (RFK Stadium), 1-0
  • 1999: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 2-0
  • 1998: Chicago Fire over D.C. United (Rose Bowl), 2-0
  • 1997: D.C. United over Colorado Rapids (RFK Stadium), 2-1
  • 1996: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 3-2 (extra time)

USA TODAY Sports' 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS Cup live score updates: Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps fight for title

Reporting by Jim Reineking and Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect