The Seattle Sounders delivered a stunning 3-0 defeat to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Sunday to claim the Leagues Cup title in a final that ended with a post-match brawl. Osaze De Rosario opened the scoring in the 26th minute, followed by an Alex Roldan penalty in the second half, with Paul Rothrock sealing the victory for the hosts. The Sounders’ organized and determined defense successfully stymied Inter’s star-studded lineup, which included Messi, throughout the match.
Inter Miami’s frustrations boiled over at the final whistle, leading to a brawl that required officials to intervene. The skirmish was sparked by Luis Suarez, who was reportedly caught on camera spitting toward a Sounders assistant coach. This unsportsmanlike conduct marred what was a historic achievement for Seattle.
With this victory, the Sounders became the first Major League Soccer team to win every major North American trophy, adding the Leagues Cup to their collection of two MLS Cups, an MLS Supporters Shield, four US Open Cups, and a CONCACAF Champions Cup. “It’s a lot,” said Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer. “It’s against one of the best teams in our league, in the world, with Messi the best player in the world.”
The match, played in front of a record-breaking Leagues Cup crowd of 69,314 at Lumen Field, saw De Rosario put the Sounders ahead by heading in a cross from Roldan. “What’s going through my mind right now? It’s crazy, it’s a dream come true, I beat Messi in a final!” De Rosario said after the game. Inter Miami struggled in the first half, and their second-half push, which included a missed chip shot from Messi and a squandered opportunity by Tadeo Allende, was not enough to get them back into the game.
The Sounders’ resilience in the face of Miami’s second-half pressure paid off. Roldan’s penalty in the 84th minute provided a crucial cushion, and Rothrock’s goal in the 89th minute ignited wild celebrations among the home fans. Schmetzer praised his team’s composure under pressure, saying, “We played smart, kept our composure, and that’s why we won.” The victory not only secures the trophy but also earns the Sounders a direct spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16.
