Lionel Messi played a role in all three goals as Inter Miami landed their first MLS Cup with a hard-fought win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Playing on home turf at Chase Stadium, Miami took the lead early on when Tadeo Allende’s cross was turned into his own net by Whitecaps defender Edier Ocampo.
Ali Ahmed grabbed the equaliser on the hour mark but Messi then played in Rodrigo De Paul for Miami’s second with 19 minutes to go. Vancouver were the better side for long periods but were caught out again deep into stoppage time when Messi picked out Tadeo Allende and he secured the win.
The Canadian side made a bright start in the Floridian sunshine but were caught out from Miami’s first serious attack. Some wonderful footwork from Messi down the right flank enabled De Paul to burst forward. The Argentina midfielder in turn picked out Allende and his cross was turned in by the unfortunate Ocampo.
Vancouver battle hard
Emmanuel Sabbi saw a penalty appeal turned down at the other end after going down theatrically under a challenge from Baltasar Rodríguez.
Vancouver ought to have levelled after 34 minutes but Brian White could only head Sebastian Berhalter’s free-kick straight at home goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo.
Rios Novo produced a more difficult stop four minutes later, spreading himself superbly to block Sabbi’s shot after good work in the box by Thomas Muller.
Ocampo escaped a red card for a high arm into the face of Rodriguez but still earned a caution for his challenge.
Referee Drew Fischer was equally lenient when Rodriguez risked a second yellow card for a trip on Sabbi, despite huge pressure from the Whitecaps players and bench.
Messi came close after 58 minutes with a looping header that just dropped wide and it proved a pivotal moment as, two minutes later, Vancouver equalised.
Sabbi was the architect with a powerful run and pass to White and he slipped it to Ahmed whose shot eluded Rios Novo and went in off the post.
Vancouver were rampant and came within inches of making it 2-1 after 61 minutes, Sabbi’s shot hitting both posts before Miami were able to clear.
Messi sets up De Paul for Miami’s second
Totally against the run of play, Miami restored their lead 10 minutes later. Messi dispossessed the dawdling Andres Cubas and played it in to De Paul and he made no mistake.
Vancouver poured forward but that left space at the back and there is no-one more capable than Messi of exploiting it.
The 38-year-old chipped the ball into the path of Allende and he fired past Yohei Takaoka.
Miami co-owner David Beckham said: “All the emotion came out in the final few minutes of the game. All credit to Vancouver, they played a great game and put us under a lot of pressure. And after their goal they were on top of us. But there was a change and when you give the ball to Leo he creates chances. The team stuck together and they have done that all year.”
