Match Overview
- What & When: The 2025 Leagues Cup Final is set for Sunday, August 31, at Lumen Field, Seattle — kick-off is at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT .
- Broadcast: Catch the action globally on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV+, with additional Spanish coverage on Univision and TUDN. Radio and satellite listeners can tune in via SiriusXM FC 157, and locally in Seattle on KJR-FM (English) and El Rey (Spanish) .
Venue & Atmosphere
Lumen Field is poised to host a spectacle — over 60,000 tickets sold, shattering Leagues Cup attendance records by more than 10,000 seats . The upper deck has been opened to accommodate the high demand, matching the magnitude of this final .
Path to the Final
Seattle Sounders FC
- Phase One: Seattle dominated the group stage, winning all matches to top the MLS standings:
- 7–0 rout of Cruz Azul
- 2–1 vs. Santos Laguna
- 2–1 vs. Tijuana
- Knockouts:
- Quarterfinals: Beat Puebla on penalties after a 0–0 draw (4–3) .
- Semifinals: 2–0 win over LA Galaxy, with goals from Pedro de la Vega and Osaze De Rosario .
Inter Miami CF
- Phase One: Second in the MLS table with 8 points:
- 2–1 vs. Atlas (Weigandt late winner)
- Draw and win on penalties (5–4) vs. Necaxa after a 2–2 draw
- 3–1 vs. Pumas UNAM .
- Knockouts:
- Quarterfinals: 2–1 win vs. Tigres UANL.
- Semis: 3–1 comeback victory vs. Orlando City, powered by Messi’s brace and a Segovia goal .
Stakes & History
- Titles: This is Seattle’s chance to complete a historic sweep — winning every major North American trophy available in MLS .
- Improvements:
- Seattle: Seeking their ninth major trophy .
- Miami: Aiming to become the first team to win two Leagues Cup titles, having won in 2023 .
- Continental Qualification: Both teams have earned 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup berths; the final winner also gets a bye to the Round of 16 .
- Head-to-Head: Only one previous meeting — Miami won 1-0 at Lumen Field in 2022 .
Team Form & Key Players
Inter Miami
- Messi’s Impact: The heart of Miami’s run. Despite comfort concerns and injury scares, he scored a stunning brace in the semifinal to seal the comeback .
- Supporting Cast:
- Luis Suárez: 3 goals, 3 assists — current Leagues Cup leader for goals/assists .
- Rodrigo De Paul: strong in midfield, a steady influence ever since his debut; determined ahead of the final: “I’m going to do everything in my power to win it.” .
- Sergio Busquets: Celebrated his 100th appearance for the club on matchday, a testament to his leadership role .
- Telasco Segovia: Added goals, especially critical in knockout moments .
- Injuries: Depth striker Allen Obando is unavailable; otherwise, most squad is fit and ready .
Seattle Sounders
- Dynamic Duo: Pedro de la Vega and Osaze De Rosario have combined for key goals in the knockout rounds .
- Creators: Alex and Cristian Roldan are among top assist contributors in the tournament .
- Goalkeeping: Andrew Thomas, the shot-stopper hero in earlier rounds, is expected to start; veteran Stefan Frei provides depth .
- Missing Players: Suspensions sideline Nouhou and Danny Musovski; injuries rule out Paul Arriola, João Paulo, and Jordan Morris .
Tactical Outlook
Seattle Sounders FC
- Style: Strong, aggressive pressing, fluid transitions, utilizing wide outlets like de la Vega.
- Home Advantage: Lumen Field atmosphere is expected to energize Seattle — coach Brian Schmetzer even said: “We’re going to play against Messi at our home field in front of 65,000 people… it’s going to be an entertaining game.” .
Inter Miami CF
- Approach: Possession-heavy, with Messi at the center of creativity. De Paul and Busquets offer composure and control in midfield.
- Substitutes/Depth: Backline bolstered by Alba and Falcón; goalkeeping strength from Ustari or Ríos Novo .
Storylines to Watch
- Messi’s Fitness & Form: Can he manage through the tight schedule and lead again?
- Seattle’s Trophy Cabinet Completion: A win would give Seattle the “full set” of trophies .
- Legacy on the Line: Miami seeks history as first two-time champion; Seattle chases their long-awaited Leagues Cup debut.
- Midfield Battle: Will Seattle’s pressing disrupt Miami’s tempo? Can De Paul and Busquets control the game?
- Support Roles: Big-game players like Suárez (Miami) and de la Vega (Seattle) could tip the balance.
- The Roar of the Crowd: Lumen Field’s noisy support could shift momentum at key moments.
Final Thoughts & Prediction
This final sets up as a thrilling duel of style, star power, and storytelling:
- Seattle embodies collective precision, tactical strength, and home-crowd energy.
- Inter Miami relies on individual brilliance (led by Messi) and experienced composure to manage big-game pressure.
Prediction: Expect a tight, dramatic showdown. If Miami control the midfield and Messi flares, they could edge a close win. Conversely, Seattle’s organized pressing and charged environment might unsettle Miami and secure that missing trophy. Either way, history is in the making at Lumen Field.