Seattle Sounders stunned Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 3-0 on Sunday to win the Leagues Cup, so that the collection of North American trophies for a record on Lumen Field are completed.
Osaze de Rosario scored in the 26th minute and Alex Roldan added a penalty in the second half before Paul Rothrock closed the score for the Sounders, whose determined defense completed an inter line-up led by the Argentinian icon Messi.
The frustrations of Inter came from the last whistle and officials had to scrape to suppress a brewing fight for the Sounders – whose payroll of $ 16.7 million is overshadowed by Miami’s $ 46.8 million player compensation Total – were able to celebrate their first Leagues Cup title.
Sounders became the first Major League football team that won every offered North American trophy. They already have two MLS Cup crowns, an MLS supporters shield, four US Open Cups and a Concacaf Champions Cup.
The newest triumph came before an announced crowd of 69,314 – who shattered the previous record for a competitions of the competitions of 50,675.
It was also a record for a Sounders game on Lumen Field and defeated the 69,274 they drew for the 2019 MLS Cup final against Toronto.
The Rosario placed the Sounders in the front in the 26th minute, on the way to a cross of Roldan.
The Rosario had electrified the largely green-covered crowd when he came close in the third minute with a header saved by Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
It was a frustrating first half for Inter in the face of the physical defense of Seattle, with Obed Vargas a certain thorn in Messi’s side.
Inter’s first chance in the box saw Messi a quick tumbling after exchanging with the defender of Seattle Vargas.
The Jackson windows of Seattle blocked Messi’s attempt from outside the area in the 19th minute and a minute later a shot by Rodrigo de Paul blocked.
Ragen was there again when Miami got empty in a chaotic series for the goal after a corner kick that Messi had taken in the 31st minute.
Seattle almost doubled their lead in the 40th, but the long -distance shot of Jesus Ferreira was of the right pole.
A reorganized Miami pressed early in the second half and seemed to have every chance to achieve the kind of comeback victory that it has posted over Orlando in the semi-final.
Luis Suarez turned through the traffic to deliver the ball to Messi while cutting for the goal, but Messi brought his attempt over the bar.
Read also | Lionel Messi Set for Emotional Farewell: Argentina Star to play last home cup qualification
Miami found his rhythm, but it still wasted a golden chance in the 60th minute when Tadeo Allende, fed by Suarez, missed wide from directly in front of the net.
Miami seemed to seize the momentum, but Seattle would not let go.
The sounders almost doubled the score in the 69th minute, but the right -wing explosion of Vargas from outside the box was blocked by Maximiliano Falcon.
Four minutes later, Rothrock came loose and forced a rescue from Ustari.
Sounders clinchen late
Roldan’s penalty In the 84th minute Seattle gave a breathing room, the referee who granted the penalty after Miami’s Yannik Bright dived at the feet of replacement Georgi Minoungou.
Rothrock put the finishing touches with a sloping shot along Ustari in the 89th to generate the Sounders parties.
Both finalists in the cross-border tournament with teams of MLS and Liga-MX clubs were already assured of berths in the Concacaf Champions Cup 2026.
The victory deserved direct access to the round of 16 in the regional tournament that will decide that a FIFA Club World Cup location will decide in 2029.
Published on September 1, 2025
