Inter Miami crowned champions with close fought win against Vancouver

Inter Miami 3 – 1 Vancouver Whitecaps

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL–Inter Miami won the first MLS cup in the club’s history as they beat a stubborn Vancouver side that made it difficult for the Herons to play their natural game. The game started at pace with both sides pushing to find an early opening, and neither afraid to put in a few tough tackles in what was an aggressive opening ten minutes.

Tadeo Allende had an early chance when he was put through but he fired his shot over the bar. The young striker has been on a hot streak in recent weeks, and another chance came along soon after. Lionel Messi performed some fancy footwork on the touch line to make the opening, and his chipped pass found Rodrigo DePaul who saw the run of Allende. As Allende attempted to find Mateo Silvetti, the ball struck the outstretched leg of Vancouver’s Edier Ocampo and wrong footed the keeper.

Vancouver appeared disjointed early on, but the goal seemed to galvanise them and they started to find their feet. They were looking more dangerous, and Rocco Rios Novo had to be at his best at point blank range when Emmanuel Sabbi had a glorious chance to level. Moments later Thomas Muller’s header needed the keeper to be alert and on his game as Vancouver started to test the Miami defence.

There were personal battles going on across the pitch as both teams bared their teeth in an often angry encounter that saw a number of free kicks. Max Falcon was doing his best to wind up the opposition and Brian White got an early booking after he fell for the Miami defender’s tactics.

But as the game went on, the away side started to boss things on the pitch and take control as they searched for an equaliser, and they were enjoying the lion’s share of possession. They came out in the second half meaning business as they put Miami under constant pressure, and it eventually told.

A run by Sabbi fed White in the penalty area. His pass opened it up for Ali Ahmed whose shot found its way into the net off the post as Rios Novo couldn’t keep it out. The woodwork played its part again moments later when Sabbi ran through the Miami defence and his shot hit both uprights as Miami started to wobble.

The Herons midfield was being completely overrun, and it meant that Vancouver were seeing more of the ball, while restricting Miami as the home side struggled to cope. And just when you wondered how they might stop the rot and get a foothold on the game, Messi unlocked the door.

The Miami captain collected a lose pass near the box and threaded the ball for DePaul who finished perfectly to tip the balance in his side’s favor. And whilst conceding the first goal motivated Vancouver, the second deflated them. Just as they were gaining the upper hand the goal stopped them in their tracks

In contrast Miami’s confidence returned and their energy levels picked up, as they seemed to find their swagger again. A one goal lead is far from a certainty, and it was nail biting time for the Miami fans who were desperate to hear the final whistle.

And then yet another piece of magic from Messi as he controlled and chipped the ball for Allende who scored his second and Miami’s third to seal the win in the dying minutes of an enthralling match. It was a fitting end to the season for Miami who performed brilliantly throughout the year and carried that same form into the play offs.

Photos by Edwin Gomez. We thank him and Ryan Wallis for their coverage of Inter Miami this season.

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