Inter Miami entered the 2025 MLS Cup final as clear favorites over Vancouver Whitecaps. Nevertheless, the game was not easy at all for Lionel Messi’s side… until the Argentine captain appeared.

Rodrigo De Paul‘s first goal with Inter Miami could not have arrived at a better moment. The 2022 World Cup champion said he wanted to win more titles alongside Messi, and he now contributed toward that goal.

Lionel Messi’s two assists in 2025 MLS Cup final give Inter Miami the title

In the second half, after Vancouver scored the equalizer, Inter Miami restored their lead with 20 minutes left in the game. Lionel Messi recovered the ball in the Whitecaps’ half and then assisted Rodrigo De Paul, who slipped behind his defender to become unmarked before firing a shot to make it 2-1 for the Herons.

However, it was not going to end like that. Near the final whistle, Jordi Alba played a long pass to Lionel Messi in midfield, who quickly assisted Tadeo Allende. The Argentine forward entered Vancouver’s box completely unmarked and scored the decisive 3-1 goal that sealed Inter Miami’s first MLS title.

The road to the 2025 MLS Cup final has been paved with drama, unforgettable goals, and tactical masterstrokes. Beyond the glory of lifting the trophy, there’s another prize waiting, one that carries as much weight for clubs as the honor of victory itself.

Every season, the league’s champions earn more than just bragging rights. While fans celebrate late-night goals and standout performances, the financial stakes quietly underscore the significance of each knockout match and strategic decision along the way.

For clubs navigating budgets, salaries and future signings, that final reward can make a tangible difference. It’s a reminder that in the MLS, winning the Cup is not just a story of talent on the pitch, but also of strategic gains off it.

How much do MLS Cup champions really take home?

Based on the most recent official playoff payout structure, the team that wins the 2025 MLS Cup will earn $300,000 in prize money, while the runner-up will take home $150,000. These amounts are awarded exclusively to clubs that reach the final stage of the postseason, as Marca reported.

Beyond the final itself, MLS also rewards teams that advance through earlier playoff rounds. The Conference Finals losers receive $100,000, while the teams eliminated in the Conference Semifinals collect $47,500 each.

In total, the league distributes close to $1 million in playoff prize money across all qualified franchises. This payout system reinforces the financial importance of every postseason round, where each victory not only brings teams closer to the trophy but also increases their economic return at the end of the season.

The financial impact of winning the MLS Cup

Winning the MLS Cup goes far beyond the celebration on the field. The prize money attached to the title gives clubs an immediate financial boost that can directly influence decisions for the following season, from roster planning to strategic investments.

For many franchises, especially those still shaping their long-term projects, this extra revenue can be a key tool to stay competitive. It can help retain core players, pursue new signings, and cover the rising operational demands of a deep playoff run.

The impact also extends to the business side of the organization. Being crowned MLS champion raises a club’s profile across the league, strengthens its commercial appeal, and increases exposure in both domestic and international markets.

One of the newestMajor League Soccer’s teamshas made it to their first-ever MLS Cup final, Los Angeles FC. In their roster there big-name players includingCarlos Vela, Gareth Bale, and Giorgio Chiellinias well asKellyn AcostaandMaxime Crepeau.The Black & Goldhave waited long enough to set the stage for a game like this one.So thanks to their effort,the team managed by Steve Cherundolo will have the final game in a familiar place.

On the other side, Philadelphia Unionfought their way back to the Easten Conference finals once again, after a big loss to New York City FC last season. Now, as the crowned East Champion, the Union managed byJim Curtin is expected to play until the last minute of the game, as they did in the previous round.

Where is LAFC vs Philadelphia Union being played?

LAFCwill host Philadelphia Unionon Saturday, November5, 2022 at Banc of CaliforniaStadium, home of Western Conferencechampions, as well as the Supporters Shield’s winners of this season. Thanks to their overall performance with ashighest regular-season point totalfortheseason, the 2022 MLS Finalwill be played LAFC’s current home arena in Los Angeles, California at 4:00 PM (ET).

As the rules for the 2022 MLS Playoffs are clear, the team with the highest points or position at the standigs will held thegame decider. In fact, through this year’s playoffs, both teams played their games at home in each stage including semifinals and Conference Finals.

The teams to have won the most cups are the Los Angeles Galaxy with five and DC United with four, and some prestigious coaches have won the cup in Atlanta United’s Tata Martino in 2018 and former Polish international Piotr Nowak way back in 2004.

While the list of coaches is long only 6 have won two or more titles, here we will review who are the MLS coaches to have won the most MLS Cups.

Bruce Arena – 5 MLS Cups

The one and only, Bruce Arena won 5 MLS Cups in his coaching career, coaching the league’s two best dynasties, DC United and LA Galaxy. At DC United Arena coached Marco Etcheverry and company to back-to-back MLS Cups in 1996 and 1997 along with winning the US Open Cup and two international championships.

At Los Angeles it was David Beckham, Robbie Keane, and Landon Donovan who helped the Brooklyn native to three championships in 2011, 2012, and 2014. Arena coaches the New England Revolution and has turned that club’s fortunes around as well.

Coaches with 2 MLS Cups

Five coaches have won the MLS Cup twice in their careers, most recently it was Caleb Porter who won the title with the Portland Timbers and last season with the Columbus Crew. The late Sigi Schmid won the championship with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2002 and later in 2008 with the Columbus Crew.

Frank Yallop won two titles with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2001 and 2003, while Dominic Kinnear won back-to-back titles with the Houston Dynamo in 2006 and 2007. Brian Schmetzer has taken the Seattle Sounders to the finals in four of the last five seasons and won two titles in 2016 and 2019.