Heated Brawl Between Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders Erupts During Leagues Cup Victory Festivities

Following the arrival of Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi and other marquee players at Inter Miami, the south Florida club was expected to capture silverware and emerge as Major League Soccer's dominant force. 

However, on Sunday evening, the talent-laden Herons experienced their fourth trophy disappointment since 2023, suffering a 3–0 defeat to Seattle Sounders FC in the Leagues Cup championship match. The post-match confrontations that ensued will likely overshadow the result for Javier Mascherano's squad. 

Seattle secured the victory through strikes from Osaze De Rosario, Alex Roldan and Paul Rothrock, but as the Sounders celebrated Rothrock's 89th-minute clincher and championship moment, hostilities erupted between both teams. 

During the melee, Maxi Falcòn was seen grabbing Seattle's midfielder Obed Vargas, while players from each side exchanged multiple blows. Simultaneously, Suárez became involved in a confrontation with a member of the Sounders' coaching staff, before officials and teammates intervened to restore order.

Match officials did not immediately impose any sanctions or disciplinary measures. 

This championship defeat particularly hurts Miami. Following their 2023 Leagues Cup triumph just weeks after Messi's arrival, the franchise has now suffered losses in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup championship and was ousted in the opening round of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. 

During the current campaign, they also failed to achieve their declared objective of capturing the Concacaf Champions Cup, falling in the quarterfinal stage to eventual runners-up Vancouver Whitecaps. These setbacks have intensified pressure in Miami, particularly with Messi and Sergio Busquets' deals expiring after the 2024 campaign.

Nevertheless, hope remains for the Herons. Nine regular-season fixtures remain on their schedule as they pursue the Supporters' Shield, given to MLS's top regular-season performer, before launching their campaign for the 2025 MLS Cup championship.