"Watch Out If Messi's Fired Up" – Former MLS Star Warns Vancouver Ahead of Inter Miami Showdown

 

Can the Red-Hot Whitecaps Hold Off Messi’s Miami in Leg 2?

After a commanding 2-0 victory in Canada, the surging Vancouver Whitecaps are just one match away from the first continental final of 2025. But standing in their way is a reinvigorated Inter Miami side—and the return of Lionel Messi.

This week, four CONCACAF clubs battle for a place in the Champions Cup final. On one side of the bracket, Mexican giants Tigres and Cruz Azul face off Thursday to determine Liga MX’s representative. On the other, Wednesday’s showdown in South Florida sees Inter Miami hosting Vancouver in what’s become a headline MLS matchup.

Vancouver stunned the continent in the first leg, shutting out Miami with a clinical 2-0 performance at BC Place. But with the second leg now shifting to Miami—and Messi expected to be back in the lineup—the tie remains wide open.

Still, the Whitecaps enter with momentum few can match. Off to a dream start in 2025, they top both the Western Conference and the Supporters’ Shield standings. Under new head coach Jesper Sørensen, Vancouver boasts a 7-1-2 record, leads MLS in goals scored, and holds the best goal differential in the league.

Can Vancouver finish the job, or will Messi’s magic flip the script in Florida?