FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Vancouver Whitecaps coach Jesper Sørensen expressed his emotional pride after his team’s 3-1 loss to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the MLS Cup final held on Saturday.
The Canadian squad, energized by the midseason signing of Bayern Munich icon Thomas Müller, was vying for its first MLS Cup championship.
– Miami’s inaugural MLS Cup title concludes a long-term ambitious project
– Messi’s heartfelt farewell to Alba and Busquets with MLS Cup
“We’ve developed a strong bond as a team this season,” said Sørensen, a finalist for MLS Coach of the Year who rejuvenated the Whitecaps in 2025.
“Today, we may be shedding tears, but they are proud tears. It’s crucial to remember that because we’ve thrilled so many fans in Vancouver.”
“We have built something special that people want to come and see.”
At the start of the season, expectations were low for a team often seen as a mid-to-lower-tier club. MLS analysts predicted they would finish near the bottom of the Western Conference as the 2025 season began.
However, Sørensen and the Whitecaps surpassed those predictions, earning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and reaching the MLS Cup final for the first time. Yet, for the first-year coach, these proud tears also carry a sense of heartbreak.
“When you’re on the cusp of achieving something, the disappointment of falling short can be even more painful,” Sørensen reflected. “Games like these hinge on a few key moments, and against a team like Miami, they have the players to capitalize on them, which can shake a team’s confidence.”
Initially trailing 1-0 due to an own goal, Vancouver rallied and equalized in the 60th minute thanks to Ali Ahmed. However, Miami increased their pressure after the 70th minute, sealing a 3-1 victory with two assists from Messi.
“Congratulations to Miami. This season has showcased both teams making their mark,” Sørensen acknowledged.
With their victory, Miami secured their first MLS Cup championship, while Vancouver can celebrate a successful 2025 season that included a Canadian Championship, a Western Conference trophy, and appearances in both the Concacaf Champions Cup final and the MLS Cup final.