LOS ANGELES, Aug 30 — The Seattle Sounders are determined not to be overawed as they prepare to face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in Sunday’s Leagues Cup final.
LOS ANGELES, Aug 30 — The Seattle Sounders are determined not to be overawed as they prepare to face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in Sunday’s Leagues Cup final.
Messi, hailed as football’s greatest, marked his return from injury with two late goals that sealed Inter’s 3-1 comeback win over Orlando City in Wednesday’s semi-final. The 38-year-old admitted feeling “scared” early in the match after a recent setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury, but came alive in the second half with a penalty and the decisive strike in just 11 minutes.
Backed by former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba, Miami have reignited their campaign, posting nine wins, three draws and only two losses in 14 matches since July. They are now chasing a second Leagues Cup crown after lifting the trophy in 2023 during Messi’s debut MLS season.
The Sounders, however, are mounting an impressive run of their own. Despite operating with a payroll of US$16.7 million compared to Miami’s US$46.8 million, Seattle have lost just once in 14 matches since their Club World Cup exit. They boast the joint-highest goal tally in MLS this season and have outscored their Leagues Cup opponents 13-2, with eight different players finding the net.
A win on Sunday would make them the first MLS team to capture every major North American title. Their decorated history already includes two MLS Cups, an MLS Supporters’ Shield, four US Open Cups and a Concacaf Champions Cup.
“We’re an organization that always fights for trophies,” said defender Alex Roldan. “This is another goal we’ve set for ourselves — to be the best in the league and the continent. We want to prove a point and hopefully end that game with a title.”
Both Miami and Seattle are guaranteed spots in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, while Sunday’s champion will advance directly to the round of 16, a key step toward securing a place at the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. The third-place playoff between LA Galaxy and Orlando will also decide another Champions Cup berth.
Anticipation for Messi’s visit is driving record interest in Seattle. The Sounders announced on Thursday that upper-bowl seats at Lumen Field would be opened, aiming to surpass the Leagues Cup attendance record of 50,675 set earlier this year.
“We’re hosting the greatest player of all time,” said coach Brian Schmetzer. “Miami is coming to Seattle for a meaningful championship game. It’s been a great summer — and I’m hoping to make it even better on Sunday.” — AFP
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