Seattle blanks Miami in Leagues Cup final

The Seattle Sounders became the first team to win every club trophy available in North America with Sunday’s 3-0 win against Inter Miami.

The Seattle Sounders beat Inter Miami CF 3-0 Sunday at Lumen Field to win the 2025 Leagues Cup. CREDIT: Seattle Sounders

Herons embarrass Miami in defeat

Inter Miami CF’s 3-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders in Sunday’s Leagues Cup final disappointed its supporters, but Los Garzas’ behavior after the match shamed the entire Herons organization.

As soon as the final whistle sounded, Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez threw his arm around the neck of Seattle defender Obed Vargas, yelling into the young Sounder’s ear while Vargas tried to pull away. When several Sounders came to Vargas’ defense, Miami players — including some who hadn’t played in the match — swarmed Suarez and Vargas.

Herons — including normally stoic Sergio Busquets, Maxi Falcon, Tomas Aviles, and others — threw punches as players pushed, shoved and grabbed opponents in the ensuing melee.

Suarez, who infamously bit opponents earlier in his career, was caught on camera spitting on a Sounders’ assistant coach.

Expect Suarez and possibly others to be suspended for at least one Leagues Cup match and fined for their actions.

Congratulations, Sounders

The Herons’ disgraceful antics after the match only temporarily detracted from the Sounders’ historic victory; with the win, Seattle became the first MLS team to win every major annual trophy available in North America. In addition to the 2025 Leagues Cup, the Sounders have won two MLS Cups (2016, 2019), the CONCACAF Champions Cup (2022), the Supporters' Shield (2014), and four U.S. Open Cups (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014).

Besides completing their hardware collection, the Sounders guaranteed themselves a bye to next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Inter Miami and the L.A. Galaxy, who beat Orlando City 2-1 Sunday for third place, also are qualified for the region’s most prestigious club competition thanks to their Leagues Cup performances.

Alex Roldan, the younger brother of Seattle captain Cristian Roldan, led an outstanding all-around effort by the Sounders. His pinpoint perfect cross from the right wing to Osaze De Rosario in the Herons’ goal box resulted in the first score of the match in the 26th minute. He buried a penalty kick in the 84th minute for the second goal. Five minutes later, Paul Rothrock beat Inter Miami’s Sergio Busquets — who had moved to center back late in the match — to a loose ball in the Herons’ third and booted it into Los Garzas’ net to add an exclamation point to a convincing victory.

The teams have the weekend off, returning to MLS play Saturday, Sept. 13. Seattle (12-7-8, 44 points, fourth in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference) will host the Galaxy (4-16-7, 19 points, 15th in the West). Inter Miami (13-5-7, 46 points, sixth in the East) will play at Eastern Conference third-place side Charlotte FC (16-11-2, 50 points).

Miami will host Seattle in MLS regular season action Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

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