In their much-hyped MLS rematch after their combustible Leagues Cup final, Lionel Messi was again the leading man as Inter Miami beat Seattle Sounders 3-1 on Tuesday. The 38-year-old Argentine, famous for his mythological spells at Barcelona and taking Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, was instrumental in helping Jordi Alba open the scoring as early as the 12th minute before scoring in the 41st, making it an easy 2-0 lead for Miami at halftime.
Early in the second half, American defender Ian Fray extended Miami’s advantage with a strike in the 52nd minute, making it 3-0. Seattle managed a consolation goal in the 69th when Mexican midfielder Obed Vargas scored to narrow the gap.
The match carried added intensity due to the recent Leagues Cup final on August 31, where Seattle had dominated Miami 3-0. That game ended in chaos with a massive brawl, highlighted by Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez spitting on a Sounders staff member. Suarez has since apologized and received a ban from the 2026 Leagues Cup, alongside a three-match MLS suspension, serving his second game during this encounter.
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Prior to this victory, Inter Miami fell as low as eighth in the Eastern Conference following a 3-0 defeat to Charlotte. This win over Seattle moved Miami up to fifth with a record of 14-6-7, good for 49 points only eight shy of conference leaders Philadelphia with three games in hand. Seattle fell to fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 12-8-9, good for 45 points, and only one point ahead of Los Angeles FC.
