LOS ANGELES, United States, Sept 1, (AFP): The Seattle Sounders stunned Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 3-0 on Sunday to win the Leagues Cup, in a final marred by a post-match brawl in which Inter's Luis Suarez appeared to spit at an opposing coach.
Osaze De Rosario scored in the 26th minute and Alex Roldan added a penalty in the second half before Paul Rothrock capped the scoring for the hosts, whose determined defense stymied a star-studded Inter lineup led by Messi.
Inter's frustrations spilled over at the final whistle at Lumen Field and officials had to scramble to quell a brawl sparked by Suarez before Seattle could celebrate their first Leagues Cup title.
Suarez rushed at Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas to spark a series of skirmishes, including one in which Suarez was caught on camera apparently spitting toward a Sounders assistant.
The Sounders -- whose $16.7 million payroll is dwarfed by Miami's $46.8 million player compensation total -- became the first Major League Soccer team to win every North American trophy on offer.
They already own two MLS Cup crowns, an MLS Supporters Shield, four US Open Cups and a CONCACAF Champions Cup.
This one was especially sweet with eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi on the other side.
"It's a lot," Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said. "It's against one of the best teams in our league, in the world, with Messi the best player in the world."
De Rosario put the Sounders in front, heading in a cross from Roldan.
De Rosario had electrified the crowd when he came close in the third minute with a header saved by Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
"What's going through my mind right now? It's crazy, it's a dream come true, I beat Messi in a final!" De Rosario said.
The announced attendance of 69,314 shattered the previous record for a Leagues Cup crowd of 50,675 and was also a record for a Sounders game at Lumen Field.
It was a frustrating first half for Inter, who lifted the Leagues Cup in 2023 in Messi's first season in MLS.
Inter's first opportunity saw Messi take a quick tumble after tangling with Vargas.
Seattle's Jackson Ragen blocked Messi's attempt from outside the area in the 19th minute then a minute later blocked a shot from Rodrigo De Paul.
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