Inter Miami's Luis Suárez apologizes for on-field antics after Leagues Cup final loss to Seattle

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez apologized Thursday for his behavior following his team's defeat by the Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup final earlier this week, antics that became the latest entry on a long list of on-field transgressions over his lengthy career.

Suárez — a longtime teammate of Inter Miami star Lionel Messi — appeared to spit toward a member of the Sounders' staff, plus grabbed at least one Seattle player by the neck during a postgame melee. Major League Soccer and Leagues Cup officials are investigating, and Suárez could face sanctions.

“First of all, I want to congratulate the Seattle Sounders on their Leagues Cup victory. But above all, I want to apologize for my behavior at the end of the match,” Suárez wrote on Instagram in his native Spanish. "It was a very tense and frustrating moment. Things happened right after the match that shouldn’t have happened, but that doesn’t justify my reaction. I was wrong and I sincerely regret it.

“It’s not the image I want to portray, neither to my family, who are suffering because of my mistakes, nor to my club, which doesn’t deserve to be affected by something like this. I feel bad about what happened and didn’t want to miss the opportunity to acknowledge it and apologize to everyone who felt bad about what I did.”

Inter Miami issued a statement Thursday as well, without naming any players. The club said it is working with both MLS and Leagues Cup officials “to ensure the situation is addressed appropriately” and thanked fans for their continued support.

“Inter Miami condemns the altercations that took place following the conclusion of the Leagues Cup Final,” the club wrote. “These actions do not reflect the values of our sport, and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship both on and off the pitch.”

Suárez's history is both highly colorful and highly successful.

With Suárez, Uruguay ended 20 years of World Cup underachievement by reaching the semifinals in 2010. He helped deliver Uruguay’s first Copa America title in 16 years in 2011. He was instrumental in Atletico Madrid’s first Spanish title in seven years in 2021.

He also is known for an infamous intentional handball in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals to take a semifinal spot from Ghana and served bans on three occasions for biting opponents — the most recent of those in 2014, after he chomped down on the shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini following a tussle in the penalty area during a World Cup match.

Suárez has been involved in 16 Inter Miami goals — scoring six and assisting on 10 others — during MLS play this season, second-most on the team behind only Messi. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has 19 goals and 10 assists in MLS matches this year.

“We know there’s still a long season ahead, and we’re going to work together to achieve the success this club and all its fans deserve,” Suárez wrote to conclude his statement Thursday. “A hug to everyone.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez, left, can't tip the ball past Seattle Sounders midfielder Reed Baker-Whiting, right, near the goal during the first half of a Leagues Cup final soccer match Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez, back center facing, is separated from Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas, second from right, by defender Yeimar Gómez and defender Cody Baker (33) after the Leagues Cup final soccer match Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez, third from left, is separated from Seattle Sounders players and staff as Sounders midfielder Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, center right facing, holds a staff member back during a fight after the Sounders won the Leagues Cup final soccer match Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas, bottom left, lies on the ground after being pushed during an altercation against Inter Miami, including forward Luis Suárez and midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) after the Sounders won a Leagues Cup final soccer match Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

CHICAGO (AP) — Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh scored 21 points off the bench in the first quarter Wednesday night in a 128-126 loss at Chicago, the most by an NBA reserve in the opening period in at least 29 years.

It's the highest number since the statistic was first tracked in the 1996-97 season.

Until Sensabaugh's outburst, Indiana's Lance Stephenson had the high for first-quarter scoring with 20 points against Brooklyn on Jan. 5, 2022. He finished that game with 30 points.

The third-year player finished with a career-high 43 points over 34 mintues, making 15 of 22 shots and going 5 of 10 from 30-point range.

His previous career high was set Jan. 4 with 34 points at Miami. His second-best scoring game came the next day with 27 points at Orlando.

Sensabaugh scored 28 points in the first half against the Bulls, just two points shy of the Jazz record for a starter or reserve in the opening 24 minutes. Rodney Hood scored 30 points in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 28, 2016.

Karl Malone scored 37 points in the second half in a game against Golden State on April 7, 1998, for the team record for any half.

Sensabaugh made 8 of 9 shots in the first quarter, including all three 3-point shots. His scoring came in just 7:14 of playing time.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28), right, guards Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)