Seattle Sounders rout Inter Miami, Messi 3-0 in Leagues Cup final originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Seattle Sounders are Leagues Cup winners for the first time.
Seattle on Sunday upset Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the final 3-0, with major fireworks erupting after the final whistle.
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The scoring started in the 26th minute through Osaze De Rosario, who poached the back net with a thumping header.
Despite Miami’s attempts to chase the game, it was Seattle that scored the next goal in the 84th minute. Alex Roldan stepped up for the spot kick and sent the goalie the wrong way.
Then in the 89th minute, Paul Rothrock sweetly curved in the final goal to round out the scoring.
Miami rolled out a lineup starring Messi, Luis Suarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, but just couldn’t make their mark at Lumen Field in Seattle.
However, as soon as the final whistle sounded, a huge scuffle erupted between both teams, with Suarez seen on video apparently spitting on a Sounders assistant.
Multiple players then started pushing and shoving and throwing each other on the ground before the tensions ultimately settled down.
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Seattle finished the game with 11 shots on six on target, with Miami registering 10 shots — but none were on target against Sounders goalie Andrew Thomas.
The win marks Seattle’s first ever win in the tournament as MLS teams have recently dominated the cup.
Messi led Miami to a win over Nashville in 2023, but failed to add a second in three years.
Seattle, who also participated in the summer Club World Cup, will automatically earn a berth to next season’s Concacaf Champions Cup.
Despite Messi and Co. not securing another trophy, the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup are still up for grabs heading into the final few months of the season.
