Inter Miami got the better of the Vancouver Whitecaps to claim a 3-1 victory and win MLS Cup for the first time. Here are the key stats and takeaways.
The stats:
With Inter Miami’s victory, Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo De Paul and Messi become the first players to win the World Cup and MLS Cup.
Tadeo Allende set an MLS record with his ninth goal this postseason. Lionel Messi also set an MLS postseason record with 15 goal involvements.
The game’s opening goal was the first own goal in MLS Cup in 15 years, according to the Apple TV broadcast.
Vancouver completed 527 passes to Miami’s 287.
The Whitecaps had more possession (58.4%), shots (11 to 8) and expected goals (1.8 to 1.6). Both teams put four shots on target.
The takeaways:
1. Vancouver didn’t let the game get away
Inter Miami have used the same formula in all their elimination games: early goal ruins opponent’s gameplan and leads to a rout. The Herons got the quick goal again, but the Whitecaps were able to regain control of the game. By the end of the first half, they had Miami pinned back and were creating the better chances. It was more of the same after the break. Vancouver equalized and came inches away from taking the lead. The game was played on the Whitecaps’ terms, and that is an accomplishment worthy of recognition even in a defeat. Their margin of error was just a little bit too slim to beat the Herons again.
2. Messi just knows what the moment calls for
Lionel Messi is not just arguably the greatest soccer player ever. He is also the most efficient. His understanding of time and space is astounding. When Messi exerts energy, there is a reason why. It might be a pocket of space or a defender out of position. In this game and the playoffs generally, it was often an opportunity to press and win the ball back. On a day when the Herons’ midfield was largely nonexistent, it was Messi who provided the defensive moment of the game at the perfect time. He can walk as much as he wants as long as he’s making contributions like that.
3. Beating the same team over and over is really, really difficult
Miami and Vancouver met three times this season. Two of those games were played in Miami. The Whitecaps were the better team in all three games, won two of them and outscored Miami 6-4. As it does so often, Miami won more of the handful of crucial moments that decide a game and got the victory as a result. Other teams get the better of the Herons every so often, but nobody gave them as much trouble as Vancouver did across a three-game sample. One of the games was going to go Miami’s way eventually, and it happened to be a pretty important one.