Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images

Lionel Messi & Inter Miami Get Big Advantage Before MLS Conference Final

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Nov 25, 2025 2:31 PM ET

The MLS has four teams left in the competition, and two Conference Finals will be played on Saturday.

In the Eastern Conference Final, Inter Miami will host New York City FC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, while the Western Conference Final will see San Diego FC hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

The winners of both matches will face off in the MLS Cup Final, which will be played on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

Inter Miami have a huge advantage over New York City FC in the Eastern Conference Final by playing the match at Chase Stadium after playing away from home against FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference semifinal.

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring the team's first goal with teammates Mateo Silvetti #24 and Tadeo Allende #21 during the Conference Semifinal match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami FC as part of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs at TQL Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)

If Inter Miami defeats New York City FC this weekend, not only will Inter Miami play in their first MLS Cup Final, but they will have an advantage over their opponents, regardless of the San Diego FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps result.

Inter Miami's Advantage in the MLS Playoffs

Due to Inter Miami's position in the Supporters' Shield standings, the Herons have the advantage to host the MLS Cup Final out of the four teams remaining.

Inter Miami finished 3rd in the Supporters' Shield standings with 65 points. Out of the four teams left in the MLS playoffs, San Diego FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, and NYCFC finished below them.

NYCFC cannot host the MLS Cup Final since the lowest of the four (9th). San Diego FC finished 4th in the standings, while the Vancouver Whitecaps finished 5th.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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