The Vancouver Whitecaps made history on Wednesday night, April 30, 2025, by defeating Inter Miami 3-1 in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This victory not only eliminated Lionel Messi's squad from the tournament but also secured the Whitecaps a spot in the final for the first time in the club's history.
With this win, the Whitecaps advanced with a commanding 5-1 aggregate score after previously winning the first leg 2-0 at B.C. Place Stadium. The upcoming final, set for June 1, will see Vancouver face either Cruz Azul or Tigres UANL, who are battling it out in the other semifinal.
Vancouver's triumph was marked by a stellar performance from midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who was involved in all three goals. Brian White equalized for the Whitecaps in the 51st minute, slotting home a close-range finish off a pass from Berhalter. Just two minutes later, Ecuadorian midfielder Pedro Vite capitalized on a deflection from Jordi Alba to put Vancouver ahead. Berhalter sealed the victory with a powerful strike in the 71st minute, ensuring that the Whitecaps would advance to the final.
Despite the loss, Inter Miami struck first in the match. Jordi Alba opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a powerful left-footed shot, assisted by Luis Suárez. However, the early lead was short-lived as the Whitecaps quickly regrouped and turned the tide in their favor.
Berhalter's impressive form continued throughout the semifinal, as he accounted for all five of Vancouver's goals in the two-legged contest. However, he will miss the final due to yellow card accumulation, having received a booking in the first half for a foul on Miami's Tadeo Allende.
“It’s a great group. From the first game until now, we’ve shown who we are, and we deserve this,” said Berhalter in a post-match interview. “We’re going to do it. We have the opportunity [to win the title], and we’ll be there.”
Vancouver's victory is even more significant considering the team's current form. They hold the best record in Major League Soccer at 7-2-1, showcasing their potential as they aim for continental glory. The Whitecaps are also exploring the opportunity to build their own stadium as their current ownership prepares to sell the club.
On the other hand, Inter Miami faced a tough challenge as they dropped their third consecutive match, marking the first time the team has lost that many in a row since Messi joined. Despite the defeat, Messi came close to scoring in the final moments of the match, but his shot drifted wide.
Midfielder Sergio Busquets reflected on the match, stating, “We weren’t clinical enough, and we made defensive errors. We were already trailing, and their goal killed our momentum — the game was basically sealed after that.”
As the CONCACAF Champions Cup approaches its conclusion, the stakes are high for the Whitecaps. The tournament champion will earn a spot in both the 2025 Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, adding further motivation for Vancouver to secure their first title.
The Whitecaps' journey to the final has captivated fans, with a record crowd of over 53,000 witnessing their opening-game win against Miami just a week prior. This growing support highlights the club's rising profile in North American soccer.
As the Whitecaps prepare for their historic final, they will look to build on their recent success and continue their impressive run in the tournament. The excitement surrounding this matchup is palpable, with fans eager to see if Vancouver can bring home the trophy and secure their place among the elite in continental soccer.
With the final looming on June 1, all eyes will be on the Whitecaps as they aim to make history once again, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of soccer.
