The Vancouver Whitecaps are heading to the MLS Cup to face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, with each golf equipment chasing the primary league championship of their franchise histories. The Whitecaps superior to the championship by incomes a decisive 3-1 win Saturday over San Diego FC within the Western Convention closing.
It did not take lengthy for Vancouver to tug out to a lead: Simply eight minutes into the match, Brian White discovered the again of the online off a cross from Andres Cubas. Three minutes later, the Whitecaps scored once more off a wild shot that bounced off the again of San Diego keeper Pablo Sisniega.
White made it a first-half brace in first-half stoppage time, utilizing his chest to ship a cross from Ali Ahmed into the purpose, bringing Vancouver to a dominant 3-0 lead.
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San Diego got here out within the second half with some substitutions and a renewed sense of power. Star ahead Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who subbed in at halftime, instantly made an impression with a shocking ball that arced over the top of Whitecaps keeper Yohei Takaoka.
Although the purpose revitalized the San Diego crowd, SDFC’s possibilities fell dramatically after Sisniega obtained a straight crimson card after coming manner off his line for a poor deal with. Nice saves from Takaoka within the closing moments secured the good 3-1 victory.
The Whitecaps joined the league in 2011. Total, it has been a dream 12 months for Vancouver, which finishes with its finest document and can now vie for a championship.
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San Diego FC’s inaugural season, in the meantime, involves an finish. SDFC ends the 12 months with top-of-the-line growth runs in league historical past, selecting up 19 wins and 63 factors earlier than ending the 12 months within the semifinals.
The Whitecaps will now journey to Fort Lauderdale to face Inter Miami, who punched its first championship match ticket with earlier Saturday. The Cup is assured a first-time winner.
Each convention finals could have been dominant wins, however they arrange a doubtlessly thrilling league closing. Inter Miami’s Tadeo Allende, who had a hat trick within the win over NYC, is on an absolute tear this postseason, whereas Miami has scored 17 complete objectives throughout 5 playoff video games, principally due to Messi’s 13 purpose contributions. Vancouver, in the meantime, has had some extra blended outcomes, however has confirmed its power within the face of some powerful spots all through the postseason led by German worldwide Thomas Müller, whose veteran savvy and big-stage instincts proceed to raise a younger Whitecaps aspect.
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And now Müller and Co. will meet a well-known solid of World Cup veterans within the closing: Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, the latter two of which might be enjoying of their closing match earlier than retirement with an opportunity for one closing trophy on the largest MLS stage attainable.
Here is how the convention finals performed out in actual time:
Reside protection is over76 updatesSat, November 29, 2025 at 8:11 PM PST
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Vancouver ends expansion-side San Diego’s run to MLS Cup with an emphatic street win. They’re going to must do it once more on the street subsequent week in Fort Lauderdale as Inter Miami will host the MLS Cup. It will be the Whitecaps’ first journey to the championship match they usually’ll be going through an Inter Miami squad they beat twice in April within the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Sat, November 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM PST
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Tataoka does it once more! A final-minute save retains the scoreline at 3-1 as Vancouver wins it in regulation.
Sat, November 29, 2025 at 8:07 PM PST
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Tataoka makes one other stellar save, this time after Duah blasts in a header that’s blocked by Tataoka’s outstretched arm.
Sat, November 29, 2025 at 7:56 PM PST
Kari Anderson
Vancouver will get one off the put up, as Brian White tries for a hat trick however will get denied.
Kari Anderson
With Sisniega out, Duran Ferree is coming in for the Whitecaps, changing Amahl Pellgrino.
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Sisniega comes manner, manner, manner off his line to deal with Ryan Gauld, however doesn’t get almost sufficient ball to justify it.
San Diego will now end the sport with 10 males. This can be unimaginable for SDFC to beat.
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Manu Duah will get a yellow card after a tricky problem on Emmanuel Sabbi, who’s writhing on the bottom after seemingly making an attempt leap over Duah.
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Vancouver’s Emmanuel Sabbi sends within the ball with what appears like a surefire shot, however Duah heads it away on the final second for a miraculous save.
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Proper after San Diego scores, Thomas Müller is subbed out for Vancouver, changed by Ryan Gauld.
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Lozano sends a protracted shot into purpose, catching Yuhei Takaoka off guard because the ball arcs over his head. San Diego cuts into the deficit, making the sport 3-1.
Kari Anderson
Each groups are doing an excellent job of controlling tempo, sometimes breaking via for some large possibilities however general settling right into a well-matched stalemate. San Diego, who seemed considerably frantic to get on the board in direction of the tip of final half, is a bit bit calmer this half — regardless that they’re clearly hoping to interrupt the clear sheet.
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San Diego is making an attempt to start out on a greater foot with a trio of substitutions at halftime. Star ahead Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who began the sport on the bench, is available in for Corey Baird, whereas Franco Negri replaces Ian Pilcher and Luca De La Torre is available in for Anibal Godoy.
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The Whitecaps have loads of celebrating to do after that first half.
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Ali Ahmed outdribbles the San Diego protection and sends an attractive cross to Brian White, who pops it into purpose together with his torso for a first-half brace.
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One other large missed alternative in transition for San Diego, as Vancouver is ready to serve it out, even because the Whitecaps by chance give it proper again to SDFC.
Total, that was a really chaotic sequence, with a number of our bodies are hitting the ground earlier than the referee lastly blew the whistle, giving San Diego a set piece simply contained in the attacking third. However even that probability fell flat.
Kari Anderson
Yohei Takaoka leaps for the save there, as San Diego continues to press in direction of purpose within the closing minutes of the primary half.
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That was some nice development from San Diego, who transfer the ball down the sector. The one factor stopping a purpose there was Tate Johnson, who will get a foot on it to ship it out of bounds beneath strain. San Diego forces a nook kick, after which one other — with a shot that hits the put up after taking a deflection off Whitecaps keeper Yohei Takaoka.
That results in one other nook kick, earlier than Anders Dreyer’s shot goes excessive. After which there’s one other nook, earlier than Vancouver is lastly capable of clear it.
In order that’s 4 set items, and three shut calls, prior to now a number of minutes for San Diego. Nevertheless it stays 2-0 for now.
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San Diego midfielder Onni Valakari given a yellow card after a heavy contact.
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San Diego will get a harmful free kick after Jeppe Tverskov will get fouled simply exterior the field. However SDFC’s first shot is blocked, and their subsequent re-tries are well-defended by Vancouver.
Sebastian Berhalter caps off the prospect with an incredible save to get the ball out of the field. (The San Diego followers wished a foul known as within the field, however the officers rule it clear.)
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SDFC’s Luca Bombino strike a shot from distance off a nook kick, however his shot — whereas well-hit — goes nicely broad.
Quickly after, Sebastian Berhalter tries to make it 3-0 with a sliding shot down the precise aspect, however Sisniega is ready to smother it.