Inter Miami beat ourceURL 3-0 to win the Leagues Cup. Luis Suarez loses his temper after the final whistle.
Lionel Messi went into the Leagues Cup final looking to add to his personal trophy collection of 47 titles. He came to Seattle with an impressive record of 33 goals and 13 assists in final matches, but on this night it was the Sounders who stole the show and won their first Leagues Cup title. The Sounders are now the first team to win every possible North American trophy at least once.
Inter’s frustration boiled over after the final whistle when Luis Suarez sparked a brawl. The 38-year-old Uruguayan allegedly first choked Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas and then, as video footage shows, spat at a member of Seattle’s coaching staff. This is not the first time Suarez has lost his temper; he has already “earned” a reputation as “the biter of soccer” in his career.
“Nobody likes that kind of behavior at the end of a game, but if there is a reaction, there may have been a provocation,” said Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
The Sounders were overjoyed. “It’s a great day to be a Sounder,” said coach Brian Schmetzer. This success means a lot to him, “because we played against one of the best teams in our league, with Messi, the best player in the world, Suarez, so many good players, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets. We beat them – and we beat them decisively.”
Osaze de Rosario (26th minute), Alex Roldan on a penalty kick (84th minute), and Paul Rothrock (89th minute) scored for Seattle in front of a record crowd for a Leagues Cup game of 69,314 spectators—including Inter co-owner David Beckham—at Lumen Field. “It’s crazy, it’s a dream come true, I beat Messi in a final,” said de Rosario enthusiastically.
Qualified for the Champions Cup
Both finalists, as well as third-placed Los Angeles Galaxy (2-1 against Orlando City), have qualified for the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. This tournament will in turn determine qualification for the 2029 Club World Cup.
After a short break, the Sounders and Inter Miami will return to the pitch on September 13. Seattle will then play L.A. Galaxy, and Inter will face Charlotte FC.
