Historic Champions Cup Semi-Final: Inter Miami and Whitecaps Represent MLS in 2025

Last week marked a historical night for two MLS clubs in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Inter Miami started the night down one to nothing in the aggregate, with a roster that is out of its prime despite their talent.

Vancouver, on the other hand, has shown that they are no longer a Cinderella but a genuine contender for the Champions Cup, not just for the MLS Cup.

Inter Miami Defied the Odds

LAFC defeated Inter in the first leg of One Nil and jumped to a fast one-goal lead. Most teams would have thrown in the towel, especially a team with aging stars that have to pick and choose when they go all out.

For the first time since Messi joined Inter Miami, we saw nearly a full 90 minutes of him sprinting nearly box to box to bolster his team in the first half.

A wonder goal for Messi to tie the game and a penalty shot towards the end of the game to give them the win in the aggregate was his biggest moment with the Club so far.

This performance by Messi had the soccer world locked in on the Argentinean legend to propel his club to heights we haven’t seen before.

Last year, Inter Miami was knocked out in this round, making it their first appearance in the semi-final.

Vancouver No Longer the Cinderella

The Whitecaps haven’t had a load of success since becoming a club in 2011 with only one top-three finish in the Western Conference.

This drought has expanded to all competitions, they have never been a true threat to win any cup they are eligible including the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The Champions Cup has traditionally been dominated by Mexican teams. Pumas UNAM has been one of these teams, having achieved historical success by winning the cup three times in its history.

The first Leg was tied at a goal apiece, giving Pumas the home advantage with the advantage in away goals.

Away teams have struggled over the years in this tournament when an American team has traveled to Mexico.

While being down 2-1, Vancouver needed a wonder goal and got one from Tristian Blackmon in extra time.

A celebration soon followed for the Whitecaps as this marks the furthest they have ever been in this competition.

Both Teams Battling With History

The CONCACAF Champions Cup has gone through major changes since it first started in 1962.

In 2008, the tournament became the Champions League, adopting similar rules to Europe.

In 2024, it switched back to the name Champions Cup and expanded the number of teams that will be participating in the Cup.

During this time, only three MLS teams have ever won the Cup.

In 1998, D.C. United became the first MLS team to win it, then followed up two years later by LA Galaxy.

A 22-year-long winning streak for Mexico occurred until the Seattle Sounders FC broke the streak in 2022.

Miami and Vancouver have a chance to etch their names with the very few MLS teams to not just make it this far in the Mexican-dominated tournament but win the Cup for themselves.

All or Nothing for the Cup

Miami’s window for success is only open for a few more years at best, and with an aging roster, every moment for this club is critical.

Messi is aging; that is no secret, when he may call it a career.

Miami have won a Leagues cup and a Supporters Shield so far with Messi with three more Cups to win, The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Champions Cup, and the MLS Cup.

Messi’s aging makes this year all the more important.

Winning the Champions Cup this season will cross another milestone off the board and allow Inter to consider their run with Messi a success up to this point.

Before Miami can crown themselves, they will have to fend off a hungry but talented Vancouver squad.

A Successful Season, No Matter the Outcome

No matter the outcome of the semi-finals, Vancouver supporters will always consider this run a success.

The only thing that could take away from the Whitecaps’ success would be a blowout. Miami wins on both Legs.

Vancouver has proven in this young season that they are not just an unexpected underdog in a weak Western conference but one of the best teams in North America, capable of winning the Champions Cup.