Seattle, WA
Seattle Sounders vs. Inter Miami: Leagues Cup history awaits at Lumen Field | MLSSoccer.com
More than 60,000 fans are expected to attend Lumen Field for the championship clash, surpassing the tournament’s single-match attendance record by over 10,000 spectators.
Should the Sounders capitalize on home-field advantage, they’d become the first MLS team to win every major piece of North American silverware that’s available.
“We’re all excited, as a collective, to be able to maybe make history,” said Sounders attacker Jesús Ferreira.
“Knowing that this is the only trophy that the club needs to fill the cabinet, we’re all motivated for the final. We all know finals don’t come very often. We did well during the tournament to get to this final, so we just have to finish it.”
Surging Sounders
Seattle went unbeaten in Phase One, emerging as the only MLS or LIGA MX team to take the maximum nine points available. They’ve maintained momentum throughout the knockout phase, eliminating Club Puebla on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals before securing a 2-0 semifinal win at the LA Galaxy.
Now, the Sounders aim to add to their eight previous titles. The list includes four US Open Cups, two MLS Cups, one Concacaf Champions Cup and a Supporters’ Shield.
“I think it’s important to live presently, understand the moment, but also take a deep breath,” said Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan.
“This is like any other game. You’ve played this game so much and, yes, the pressures are a little different. But at the end of the day, this is a game that we’ve been playing for a very long time.”
Messi factor
If Seattle’s strength is their depth and collective approach, Inter Miami’s is their experience and star power.
That’s most evident with Lionel Messi, who’s looking to lift his world-record 47th trophy for club and country. The Argentine No. 10 is coming off a masterful performance, scoring a late brace that fueled a 3-1 semifinal win over Florida Derby rivals Orlando City – all while returning from a nagging hamstring injury.
Inter Miami, who won Leagues Cup in 2023 upon Messi’s arrival, have a chance to grow their club’s legacy.
“Once you arrive at a team, a project such as this, our expectations are to fight and win the most that we can,” said head coach Javier Mascherano.
“Many times, these expectations can be met. Sometimes, they cannot. But now we’re so close that we’re just one match away from raising the Leagues Cup trophy.”
Dreaming big
Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul provided a window into the mentality that defines a final. Alongside Messi, he won four titles with Argentina from 2021-24 and will enter next summer’s FIFA World Cup as a defending champion.
“Every time a match starts, particularly when a cup is at stake, my only thought is ending that match with no regrets,” said De Paul, who joined the Herons last month on loan from Atlético Madrid.
“Many times, soccer is not always fair. Not always does the best one win. But I always have that attitude to keep going in the match and leave with no regrets, no bad aftertaste. Tomorrow, I’m going to play as I usually do with giving my all and trying to get the win.”
The Sounders are similarly buzzing, according to Paul Rothrock.
“We like how we’re playing; our system is working well,” Rothrock said. “You guys have heard it all year: The strength of our collective is really special, and I think everyone can feel a different energy with this team. It’s fun to be around.”
Last one standing
Seattle and Miami, who have qualified for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup by reaching the final, have been on a roll all summer.
Since a solid showing at the FIFA Club World Cup, the Sounders have lost just once in their 14 games across all competitions (9W-1L-4D). They’ve received clutch performances from less-heralded players like goalkeeper Andrew Thomas and striker Osaze De Rosario, overcoming an injury wave that would derail most other teams.
The Herons also impressed at the Club World Cup, becoming the first MLS team to beat a European opponent in an official competition and reach the knockout rounds of that global tournament. As clutch as Messi, De Paul & Co. are in big moments, youngsters like Telasco Segovia and Ian Fray have proven crucial to this tournament run.
But only one club can reign over North America, and the massive crowd will surely add to the moment.
“Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders are the teams that deserve to be in the final match,” Mascherano said. “I have no doubt about that.”
Seattle News Weekly S1E44: FIFA Frenzy hits the PNW
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is off and running as Seattle prepares to host the United States vs. Australia match on Friday. With more matches to be played in the Emerald City after that, FOX 13’s David Rose, Dan Griffin and Austin Lane are taking a closer look at the biggest stories surrounding the international tournament. Dan is hearing from fans on Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s decision to turn on CCTV cameras during the World Cup, Austin is taking a deeper dive into why ties are a good thing in the group stage, and David revisits the lessons learned from the first match hosted in Seattle between Egypt and Belgium.
SEATTLE – The FIFA World Cup has taken Seattle by storm, bringing global excitement to our city and visitors from across the world.
On this week’s episode of the ‘Seattle News Weekly’ podcast, David Rose, Dan Griffin and Austin Lane discuss the top headlines of the week that have emerged alongside the buzz about the FIFA World Cup 2026.
A Massive Tournament Expansion
The hosts open the podcast with a discussion on how historically large this year’s FIFA World Cup is compared to years past. Expanded to 48 teams (up from 32), the tournament features a record 104 matches over 39 days across 16 host cities. Seattle is hosting six of those matches.
Austin explains the value of “ties” in the group stage—especially with the new format where 32 teams advance to the knockout stage instead of 16—meaning a single point from a tie carries significant weight.
At the time of recording, the US had already defeated Paraguay and is preparing to face Australia at “Seattle Stadium,” where a win would guarantee advancement.
Transit Tactics
Dan Griffin reports on the city’s transit system, noting that while the light rail is moving a massive influx of people smoothly, transit authorities are actively “throttling” passengers.
This practice involves controlling crowd flow onto platforms to ensure safety, which has caused wait times of over an hour for some fans on TikTok. Transit officials recommend that fans walk to stations slightly further away from the stadium district to get moving faster.
The CCTV Security Debate
The hosts talk about how security is a major focal point. The FBI has already had to confiscate drones being flown illegally downtown. More prominently, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson activated controversial closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the Stadium District following “general but credible threats” identified by law enforcement.
While an activist group called Community, Not Cameras expressed fears that the surveillance puts vulnerable populations at risk due to federal agency presence, visitors and fans interviewed largely welcomed the extra layer of security. The cameras are expected to be turned off after the World Cup concludes.
Cultural Celebrations and Fan Experiences
The hosts play a clip from reporter Lauren Donovan who provides a colorful look at the fan festivities happening in the city. She highlights the “March to the Match,” describing Monday morning where Belgian fans swarmed Victory Hall alongside middle school band directors from the Stanwood-Camano district who were recruited to drum for them.
She also joins celebrating Egyptian fans, whose match against Belgium ended in an enthusiastic tie. The hosts note that international fans (like those from Australia) are already flooding local attractions, including Seattle Mariners baseball games, turning the sporting event into a broader West Coast vacation.
Seattle News Weekly is a podcast that goes in depth and gives context to the stories that matter to the western Washington community. Check back every Thursday for a new episode on your favorite podcast platform, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Stitcher, Amazon Music, TuneIn and Audible or YouTube.
MORE WORLD CUP NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
USA players want to lay off the ‘Layup’ chatter ahead of Australia matchup
How Seattle is preparing for USMNT vs. Australia World Cup match on Juneteenth
FIFA World Cup billboards in Seattle spark sexual health conversations
Seattle’s Ballard to host Pride celebration, FIFA watch party on June 26
Seattle reviews FIFA World Cup 2026 transit options after post-match congestion
Egypt’s World Cup pride, Mohamed Salah’s legacy and one fan’s love for the Pharaohs
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Mariners’ electric right-hander could not have rebounded in a more emphatic way.
World Cup fans land in Seattle for first Belgium-Egypt game
Fans from around the globe arrived in Seattle for the FIFA World Cup matchup between Belgium and Egypt Monday, June 15 — the first of six games to be played at the downtown Seattle Stadium.
Seattle’s World Cup party on the waterfront just got a little bit bigger.
On the eve of the next USMNT game (U.S. vs. Australia, June 19 at 12 p.m. PT), Fox will be broadcasting live from Pier 62 in Seattle, according to a social media post.
Fans will have a number of options when it comes to watching the US take on Australia in their second group stage match, including from a floating barge, a 70-foot screen and a number of bars across the city.
Former Sounder Clint Dempsey, former USMNT player Alexi Lalas, Rob Stone and Stu Holden will broadcast live from downtown Seattle from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where can you watch the broadcast online?
FOX ONE will be streaming the broadcast online at www.fox.com.
What other World Cup games are happening Thursday?
- 9:00 A.M. – Czechia vs South Africa (Group A) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
- 12:00 P.M. – Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group B) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
- 3:00 P.M. – Canada vs Qatar (Group B) at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia
- 6:00 P.M. – Mexico vs South Korea (Group A) at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco
Full USMNT 2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule
Game 2: USMNT vs. Australia
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Date: June 19, 2026
- Kickoff: 12 p.m. PT
- TV: FOX, Telemundo
- Streaming: FOX One, Fubo, Peacock
Game 3: USMNT vs. Turkey
- Location: Inglewood, California
- Date: June 25, 2026
- Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT
- TV: FOX, Telemundo
- Streaming: FOX One, Fubo, Peacock
Full World Cup 2026 schedule
- Group stage: June 11-27
- Round of 32: June 28-July 3
- Round of 16: July 4-7
- Quarterfinals: July 9-11
- Semifinals: July 14-15
- Third-place game: July 18
- Final: July 19
Zachary Fletcher is a trending news reporter with USA TODAY Network’s Washington state team. Keep up with him on X (@zdfletch), BlueSky (@zfletcher.bsky.social) or reach him at zfletcher@usatodayco.com.
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