The Rondo, MLS Cup edition: Can Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami win it, can the Vancouver Whitecaps finish in style, and is this the best final ever?

Tom Hindle: Keep the ball out of the net at their own end. This sounds like a massive "duh", but Miami are gonna score a bunch. The question is: can they stop the other guys from doing the same? In recent weeks, they've been pretty good defensively. That simply has to continue. 

Ryan Tolmich: Give the ball to Messi and get the hell out of the way. We all know how dominant he is and what he can do, so the game plan is simple: let him do those things. That, generally, is enough to win, especially in finals where the margins are usually so fine.

TH: Outside of trying to limit the best footballer ever to very few looks when he's in the form of the season? Well, they've got to be as clinical as possible. Vancouver will surely create, but Miami will create more. Muller, Brian White, and Co. need to put the ball in the net when they get their chances. This will be a shootout. Time for Vancouver to outshoot the other guys. 

RT: Well, they’re going to need to score. You aren’t going to shut Miami out, which means you’ll need to get at least two of your own while limiting damage on the other end. Can the Whitecaps do that? Absolutely. They’re better equipped to go toe-to-toe with Miami than anyone else in MLS.

TH: If we're conveniently ignoring the GOAT, then Tadeo Allende is the answer here. The Argentine has been in electric form of late. Goalscoring touch is nice to have, and you'd back him to bury his looks at the moment. But he will have to be on it defensively, especially against such a high-energy Vancouver midfield. 

RT: The two young guns: Allende and Silvetti. Messi will do his usual lift, but whatever help they provide him will go a long way for the Herons. Part of the reason Miami have been so good is that their supporting cast has stepped up. If they can do that again, they’ll be good.

TH: Ryan Gauld. He feels like a auxiliary option now, despite the fact that 12 months ago he was simply the go-to guy for them. The attacking midfielder missed the bulk of the season due to injury and has shown flashes without being at his brilliant best. Odds are he comes off the bench here, and could add an extra injection of quality to tip the game in Vancouver's favor late on - should they need a spark.

RT: Let’s show some life for the deep-lying midfielder! Andres Cubas is an absolute monster, and he’s taken his game to a new level in these playoffs. The midfielder does so many of the little things for the Whitecaps that allow this team to thrive. He’ll need to find an even higher gear, though, in this cup final. 

TH: On paper, it's hard to think of a better one! The Messi-Muller narrative is TASTY, and we've got two very attacking but very flawed teams facing off against each other. In theory, that should lead to some highly watchable soccer. Then again, finals are usually pretty poor, and this could be another poor final. But let's believe and say it will be a proper banger. 

RT: Let’s watch the game first. We’ve seen some classics between teams no one could have expected and some real stinkers involving superstars. Does this one have potential? Of course, but it’ll all come down to what happens on the field.

TH: Let's go with3-2 Miami. The Herons are on fire right now, and even if Vancouver make it fun, Messi and Co. will have too much. 

RT: Picking 3-1 Miami. Messi is too good, the vibes are too high, and home-field advantage will matter. It’ll be tight, but Miami will get a late goal or two to put it away and lift an MLS Cup.