{"id":77211,"date":"2025-12-09T17:21:23","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T17:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/77211\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T17:21:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T17:21:23","slug":"haitis-fafa-picault-wins-first-mls-cup-with-inter-miami-cf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/77211\/","title":{"rendered":"Haiti\u2019s Faf\u00e0 Picault wins first MLS Cup with Inter Miami CF"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\tOverview:<\/p>\n

Faf\u00e0 Picault wins his first MLS Cup as Inter Miami defeats Vancouver Whitecaps 3\u20131 in the 2025 final at a packed Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n

MIAMI\u2014-\u00a0 Haiti men\u2019s national soccer team winger Fabrice Jean-Lan \u201cFaf\u00e0\u201d Picault won his first Major League Soccer (MLS) championship Saturday night, lifting the MLS Cup with Inter Miami CF after a 3\u20131 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps FC\u2014his former club\u2014at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The win marks the club\u2019s first league title in its six-year history and caps Picault\u2019s debut season with one of the most star-studded soccer teams in North America.<\/p>\n

Picault, 34, was on the bench for the final and did not appear. Still, the winger\u2019s presence throughout the 2025 campaign helped anchor Miami\u2019s attacking depth in a season defined by historic milestones, including Argentine megastar Lionel Messi\u2019s goal contribution record <\/a>and Inter Miami\u2019s first appearance \u2014 and triumph \u2014 in an MLS Cup final.<\/p>\n

The Herons took control and scored early to secure their historic first title.<\/p>\n

Inter Miami CF struck in the eighth minute, when a cross from Tadeo Allende deflected off a Vancouver defender and into the net. Goalkeeper Rocco R\u00edos Novo kept Miami ahead with multiple first-half saves, including a close-range stop on Emmanuel Sabbi in the 38th minute.<\/p>\n

Vancouver equalized through Ali Ahmed in the 60th, but Miami responded quickly. In the 71st minute, Messi pressed high, won the ball and slipped a perfectly weighted pass to his fellow Argentine national teammate Rodrigo De Paul, who finished low to restore the lead. It was De Paul\u2019s first goal in MLS play and Messi\u2019s eighth assist of the postseason.<\/p>\n

Allende sealed the result in stoppage time, finishing a move started by Jordi Alba<\/a> and Messi. The goal set a new MLS postseason record with Allende reaching nine playoff goals. The assist increased Messi\u2019s postseason tally to nine, 28 overall for the season.<\/p>\n

The final whistle secured Inter Miami\u2019s first MLS Cup and most sought-after trophy, adding to its Leagues Cup (2023) and Supporters\u2019 Shield (2024) titles. The victory also marked the final professional match for former Spain and FC Barcelona stars Alba and Sergio Busquets<\/a>, who had previously announced their retirement plans at the end of this season.<\/p>\n

\"InterInter Miami CF team celebrates MLS Cup trophy at Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Photo credit: Inter Miami CF<\/p>\n

A dream season for Picault \u2014 and a career-defining moment<\/p>\n

The title crowns a significant year for Picault, who signed with Inter Miami in January as a free agent after a standout 2024 season with the Vancouver Whitecaps. The New York-born winger, who grew up partly in South Florida, returned home to join a roster led by Messi, Luis Su\u00e1rez, Alba and Busquets \u2014 a move he described as \u201ca dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRepresenting this badge and playing for the incredible fan base this organization has built is a dream come true,\u201d Picault said upon signing. \u201cReturning to South Florida, a place I proudly call home, gives me the chance to make history with this team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Haitian\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tFabrice Jean-lan \u201cFaf\u00e0\u201d Picault was injured 16 minutes into his MLS season debut for Inter Miami CF on Feb. 22.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Nicknamed \u201cthe Gazelle\u201d for his pace and agility, Picault has long been a respected MLS veteran. Across nine seasons, he has amassed more than 61 goals and 30 assists with Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, Nashville, Vancouver and Miami. He also enjoyed stints in Europe with Sparta Prague and FC St. Pauli.<\/p>\n

Picault made headlines earlier this year when he scored a late game-winner against Atlanta United on March 16 \u2014 his first MLS goal for Miami \u2014 returning from injury to head home an 89th-minute cross from Alba.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Haitian\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tPicault came off the bench to give the Herons a 2-1 victory over Atlanta in their fourth MLS game of the 2025 regular season.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

A source of pride for Haiti and its diaspora<\/p>\n

Picault, who switched his national team allegiance from the United States to Haiti in 2023, has earned 14 caps for the Grenadiers, appearing in the Concacaf Gold Cup, Nations League and World Cup qualifiers. His success in Miami has made him one of the most visible Haitian footballers in North America, bringing pride to fans across the Haitian diaspora.<\/p>\n

He dedicated several of this season\u2019s performances to his family and to Haitian supporters worldwide, who closely follow Les Grenadiers and the careers of Haitian players abroad.<\/p>\n

The 2025 MLS Cup victory closes a historic chapter for Inter Miami CF as the club prepares to move next season to its brand new stadium, Miami Freedom Park. For Picault, the win adds a long-awaited championship to a career marked by consistency, determination and deep ties to South Florida and Haiti.<\/p>\n

The Herons will now shift focus to a packed 2026 competitive slate \u2014 including MLS play, the Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup and international tournaments \u2014 with Picault expected to remain a key member of the squad.<\/p>\n

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