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Jim Reineking, USA TODAYSun, November 30, 2025 at 4:09 AM UTC·1 min readThe Vancouver Whitecaps will play in their first MLS Cup after defeating San Diego FC, 3-1, in the Western Conference final on Saturday, Nov. 29.
Brian White — Vancouver's leading goal-scorer during the regular season — had a brace in the win at San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Whitecaps' reward as the Western Conference's representative in MLS Cup is a showdown with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, which easily dispatched New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final. The 2025 MLS Cup will be held at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday, Dec. 6 (2:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV and FOX).
Reaching MLS Cup is the latest milestone in what has been a monumental season in the Whitecaps' 15-year history in MLS. Earlier this year, Vancouver played in the Concacaf Champions Cup final, losing to Cruz Azul of Liga MX. The Whitecaps also won a fourth consecutive Canadian Championship.
Vancouver also is the first Canada-based MLS club since Toronto FC in 2019 to reach MLS Cup.
Columbus Crew 4, FC Cincinnati 0 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Cincinnati's Alvas Powell heads the ball as Columbus goalkeeper Roman Celentano attempts a save during the first half at Lower.com Field on Nov. 2. The win by the Crew evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.
Vancouver Whitecaps 1, FC Dallas 1, Vancouver wins penalty shootout 4-2 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi allows a goal during the penalty kick shootout at Toyota Stadium on Nov. 1. Vancouver's win pushed the Whitecaps in the next round of the playoffs.
Portland Timbers 2, San Diego FC 2, Portland wins penalty shootout 3-2 (Round 1, Game 2): The Portland Timbers' Kristoffer Velde celebrates after defeating San Diego FC at Providence Park on Nov. 1. The penalty shootout win evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.
Nashville SC 2, Inter Miami 1 (Round 1, Game 2): Nashville SC's Sam Surridge (9) and Inter Miami's Maximiliano Falcón fight for the ball during the second half at Geodis Park on Nov. 1. Nashville evened up the best-of-three series at one win apiece.
Philadelphia Union 3, Chicago Fire 0 (Round 1, Game 2): The Philadelphia Union's Tai Baribo scores a goal during the first half at SeatGeek Stadium on Nov. 1. Philadelphia won the best-of-three series with the victory.
Charlotte FC 0, New York City FC 0, Charlotte FC wins penalty shootout 7-6 (Round 1, Game 2): NYCFC's Tayvon Gray (left) and Charlotte FC's Wilfried Zaha fight for the ball during the second half at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 1. Charlotte FC's penalty shootout win evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.
Los Angeles FC 2, Austin FC 1 (Round 1, Game 1): LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris punches the ball out on a corner kick during the second half at BMO Stadium on Oct. 29.
New York City FC 1, Charlotte FC 0 (Round 1, Game 1): Charlotte FC's Ashley Westwood has words for New York City FC's Kevin O'Toole during the second half at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 28.
Minnesota United 0, Seattle Sounders 0, Minnesota wins penalty shootout 3-2 (Round 1, Game 1): Minnesota United players celebrate after winning a penalty shootout at Allianz Field on Oct. 27.
FC Cincinnati 1, Columbus Crew 0 (Round 1, Game 1): FC Cincinnati's Ender Echenique celebrates after a goal scored by teammate Kevin Denkey in the second half against the Columbus Crew at TQL Stadium on Oct. 27.
San Diego FC 2, Portland Timbers 1 (Round 1, Game 1): San Diego FC's Anders Dreyer (10) scores on a header during the first half against Portland Timbers at Snapdragon Stadium on Oct. 26.
Vancouver Whitecaps 3, FC Dallas 0 (Round 1, Game 1): Vancouver goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer punches the ball away for a save at BC Place on Oct. 26.
Philadelphia Union 2, Chicago Fire 2, Union win penalty shootout 4-2 (Round 1, Game 1): The Philadelphia Union's Milan Iloski (32) and Andre Blake have words for Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Chris Brady (1) during the shootout at Subaru Park on Oct. 26.
Inter Miami 3, Nashville SC 1 (Round 1, Game 1): Lionel Messi scores against Nashville SC during the first half at Chase Stadium on Oct. 24. Messi had two goals in the win.
Portland Timbers 3, Real Salt Lake 1 (wild-card match): The Portland Timbers' Felipe Mora (9) and Kamal Miller (4) celebrate after the win at Providence Park on Oct. 22.
Chicago Fire 3, Orlando City 1 (wild-card match): The Chicago Fire's Hugo Cuypers (9) scores past Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the second half at SeatGeek Stadium on Oct. 22.1 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Columbus Crew 4, FC Cincinnati 0 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Cincinnati's Alvas Powell heads the ball as Columbus goalkeeper Roman Celentano attempts a save during the first half at Lower.com Field on Nov. 2. The win by the Crew evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.1 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Columbus Crew 4, FC Cincinnati 0 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Cincinnati's Alvas Powell heads the ball as Columbus goalkeeper Roman Celentano attempts a save during the first half at Lower.com Field on Nov. 2. The win by the Crew evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.2 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Vancouver Whitecaps 1, FC Dallas 1, Vancouver wins penalty shootout 4-2 (Round 1, Game 2): FC Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi allows a goal during the penalty kick shootout at Toyota Stadium on Nov. 1. Vancouver's win pushed the Whitecaps in the next round of the playoffs.3 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Portland Timbers 2, San Diego FC 2, Portland wins penalty shootout 3-2 (Round 1, Game 2): The Portland Timbers' Kristoffer Velde celebrates after defeating San Diego FC at Providence Park on Nov. 1. The penalty shootout win evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.4 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Nashville SC 2, Inter Miami 1 (Round 1, Game 2): Nashville SC's Sam Surridge (9) and Inter Miami's Maximiliano Falcón fight for the ball during the second half at Geodis Park on Nov. 1. Nashville evened up the best-of-three series at one win apiece.5 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Philadelphia Union 3, Chicago Fire 0 (Round 1, Game 2): The Philadelphia Union's Tai Baribo scores a goal during the first half at SeatGeek Stadium on Nov. 1. Philadelphia won the best-of-three series with the victory.6 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Charlotte FC 0, New York City FC 0, Charlotte FC wins penalty shootout 7-6 (Round 1, Game 2): NYCFC's Tayvon Gray (left) and Charlotte FC's Wilfried Zaha fight for the ball during the second half at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 1. Charlotte FC's penalty shootout win evened up the best-of-three series at a game apiece.
7 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Los Angeles FC 2, Austin FC 1 (Round 1, Game 1): LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris punches the ball out on a corner kick during the second half at BMO Stadium on Oct. 29.8 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
New York City FC 1, Charlotte FC 0 (Round 1, Game 1): Charlotte FC's Ashley Westwood has words for New York City FC's Kevin O'Toole during the second half at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 28.9 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Minnesota United 0, Seattle Sounders 0, Minnesota wins penalty shootout 3-2 (Round 1, Game 1): Minnesota United players celebrate after winning a penalty shootout at Allianz Field on Oct. 27.10 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
FC Cincinnati 1, Columbus Crew 0 (Round 1, Game 1): FC Cincinnati's Ender Echenique celebrates after a goal scored by teammate Kevin Denkey in the second half against the Columbus Crew at TQL Stadium on Oct. 27.11 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
San Diego FC 2, Portland Timbers 1 (Round 1, Game 1): San Diego FC's Anders Dreyer (10) scores on a header during the first half against Portland Timbers at Snapdragon Stadium on Oct. 26.12 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Vancouver Whitecaps 3, FC Dallas 0 (Round 1, Game 1): Vancouver goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer punches the ball away for a save at BC Place on Oct. 26.13 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Philadelphia Union 2, Chicago Fire 2, Union win penalty shootout 4-2 (Round 1, Game 1): The Philadelphia Union's Milan Iloski (32) and Andre Blake have words for Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Chris Brady (1) during the shootout at Subaru Park on Oct. 26.14 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Inter Miami 3, Nashville SC 1 (Round 1, Game 1): Lionel Messi scores against Nashville SC during the first half at Chase Stadium on Oct. 24. Messi had two goals in the win.
15 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Portland Timbers 3, Real Salt Lake 1 (wild-card match): The Portland Timbers' Felipe Mora (9) and Kamal Miller (4) celebrate after the win at Providence Park on Oct. 22.16 / 16Quest for MLS Cup: The defining moments from the MLS playoffs
Chicago Fire 3, Orlando City 1 (wild-card match): The Chicago Fire's Hugo Cuypers (9) scores past Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the second half at SeatGeek Stadium on Oct. 22.San Diego FC was aiming to become the first MLS expansion team to reach the league final since the Chicago Fire won MLS Cup in 1998. Instead, that quest fell two wins short of unprecedented championship glory.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementInter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps are the 20th and 21st different clubs to appear in MLS Cup.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS Cup 2025: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Inter Miami
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