Overview
Florida will explode this weekend as Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps both set the highest targets.
After missing Supporters' Shield, Inter Miami are hungry to conquer their first MLS Cup in history, in their first final appearance.
Since the beginning of the season, coach Rafael Mascherano's goal has been to bring the team to this match. But now, the bigger task is to cross the finish line, for the city, for the state, and for the two stars to prepare to hang their boots.
It is difficult to put faith in any other team besides Herons at the moment. They have shown destructive form in the post-season, winning 3 consecutive matches in the play-off round.
The home team also has the strongest attack in the US, scoring a total of 98 goals in all competitions this season - the highest number in a MLS campaign.
However, Inter Miami have not been able to beat the visitors for the entire season, a "class" that they will hardly forget.
Vancouver Whitecaps did their job very well when they steadily entered the first MLS Cup final in history, after an impressive 3-1 victory at the Western Conference championship, San Diego, last week.
Jesper Sorensen's team has proven throughout the season that they are not afraid of away matches. It was that resourcefulness that helped the Whitecaps set a series of new club records in the official season: the highest score (63), the most wins (18), the total number of goals (66) and the outstanding goal difference (+28).
Before going deep in MLS, the Whitecaps quickly affirmed their position when they won the Canadian championship for the fourth consecutive time and reached the Concacaf Champions Cup final, only losing to Cruz Azul.
Most notably, the Canadian team beat Inter Miami in the first two legs of the semi-finals - returning with an overwhelming total score of 5-1, showing that they are fully brave enough to face any biggest challenge.
The Whitecaps became the first Canadian representative to feature in the MLS Cup final since Toronto FC in 2019. And now they will aim to bring this noble title to the country for the first time since Toronto's victory in 2017.
Their immediate task is extremely difficult - defeating Inter Miami right at Chase Stadium. But if there is any team that is capable of creating the unimaginable, it is the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Personnel situation
In terms of personnel situation, Inter Miami has not made any significant changes. Ryan Sailor (knee) and David Ruiz (hamstring) are still the only two names who cannot participate.
Of course, the focus will still be on Lionel Messi - who has just set another historic milestone with 13 goals in the play-off round, the best record of all time. The expectation of another genius moment from the Argentine superstar is obvious, but even if the opponent successfully contained Messi, Inter Miami still possessed attacking options capable of making a difference.
On the other side, Vancouver Whitecaps are facing many injury concerns. Sam Adekugbe ( Achilles), Belal Halbouni (knee), Daniel Rios ( calf), Sebastian Schonlau (calf) and Ranko Veselinovic (knee) are predicted to not be able to participate in Florida.
However, the good news for Sorensen is that centre-back Tristan Blackmon will return after suspension. His appearance is extremely important, because Blackmon is the leader of the defense that has kept the most clean sheets in the tournament (13 matches).
Expected lineup:
Inter Miami: Rios, Weigandt, Falcon, Busquets, Allen, Alba, Silvetti, De Paul, Rodriguez, Messi, Allende.
Vancouver Whitecaps: Takaoka, Ocampo, Blackmon, Priso-Mbongue, Laborda, Cubas, Berhalter, Sabbi, Muller, Ahmed, White.
The match between Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps takes place at 2:30 am on December 7 (Vietnam time).
