The drama of the Leagues Cup final between Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami still lingers, and the two clubs will meet again in MLS Week 34 in Fort Lauderdale. On Tuesday, September 16 (7:30 PM ET) at Chase Stadium, the Sounders will visit Lionel Messi in a rematch that promises fireworks. Just two weeks ago, Seattle comfortably beat the Herons 3-0 to lift the trophy, but the match ended in controversy when Luis Suárez was suspended for spitting at a Sounders staff member.
This time, both teams arrive with major concerns: 12 combined absences, nearly an entire starting lineup. With playoff positioning heating up, depth and discipline could be decisive.
According to MLS injury reports, Inter Miami has seven players unavailable:
- Allen Obando – hamstring (out)
- Fafa Picault – quadriceps (out)
- Baltasar Rodríguez – hamstring (out)
- David Ruiz – hamstring (out)
- Luis Suárez – suspension (out)
- Tomás Avilés – suspension (out)
- Telasco Segovia – ankle (out)
That list is brutal for head coach Javier Mascherano, who must shuffle the lineup with youngsters and recent signings like Mateo Silvetti, recently cleared to play after joining from Newell’s Old Boys.
Seattle Sounders thrashed Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final.
Seattle Sounders also shorthanded
Seattle, the reigning Leagues Cup champion, will also travel without several key contributors due to suspensions and fitness issues. Head coach Brian Schmetzer has relied on squad depth all year, but midweek travel to South Florida combined with missing players could test the squad’s endurance.
see also
Inter Miami complete signing to boost Lionel Messi’s squad amid MLS injury crisis
Kickoff time and how to watch
The highly anticipated Inter Miami vs. Seattle Sounders clash kicks off on Tuesday, September 16 at 7:30 PM ET at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
- TV/Streaming: Available exclusively on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV
Confirmed lineups
- Inter Miami: Oscar Ustari; Ian Fray, Gonzalo Luján, Maximiliano Falcón, Noah Allen; Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo De Paul; Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba.
- Seattle Sounders: Stefan Frei; Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Kee-H. Kim, Yeimar Gómez, Nouhou Tolo; Obed Vargas, Cristian Roldan; Georgi Minoungou, Jesus Ferreira, Paul Rothrock; Osaze De Rosario.
