FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi had a goal and an assist as Inter Miami beat Seattle 3-1 on Tuesday night just over two weeks after losing to the Sounders in the Leagues Cup final.
The Sounders beat Inter Miami 3-0 in the Leagues Cup on Aug. 31, but Messi assisted a wide open Jordi Alba with an outside-of-the-foot pass in the 12th minute to give the Herons early command on Tuesday.
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Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei throws the ball into play during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Inter Miami, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) goes for the ball as Seattle Sounders defender Jackson Ragen, right, defends during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) runs with the ball as Seattle Sounders midfielder Kim Kee-hee (20) and midfielder Snyder Brunell, right, defend during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, left, celebrates with defender Jordi Alba, right, after scoring a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Seattle Sounders, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Messi nearly doubled the score in the 28th minute when he received a ball over the top and once again tried to execute using the outside of his left foot, but the shot hit off the post.
Alba returned the favor in the 41st minute, assisting a darting Messi who got just enough of a touch to make it 2-0.
“I'm always looking for him (Messi), he's always looking for me. We've created a lot of goals and we hope it's like that until the end of our careers,” Alba said.
Ian Fray headed home Rodrigo De Paul’s corner in the opening minutes of the second half to extended the Herons' lead to 3-0.
“It was definitely a little extra motivation. After losing a game like that, you don't forget it,” Fray said reflecting on the rematch win.
Obed Vargas found the back of the net for Seattle's goal in the 69th minute, as the Mexican international scored on his country's independence day.
Inter Miami was again without Luis Suárez who served the second game of his three-match MLS ban for spitting on a member of the Sounders’ coaching staff in the Leagues Cup Final.
Messi had a chance to complete a brace in the 76th minute, but was denied by Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei. New Inter Miami signing Mateo Silvetti made his debut after arriving from Messi's boyhood club, Newell's Old Boys in Argentina.
MLS action continues for both teams when Inter Miami hosts D.C. United on Saturday, while the Sounders travel to face Austin FC on Sunday.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei throws the ball into play during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Inter Miami, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) goes for the ball as Seattle Sounders defender Jackson Ragen, right, defends during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) runs with the ball as Seattle Sounders midfielder Kim Kee-hee (20) and midfielder Snyder Brunell, right, defend during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, left, celebrates with defender Jordi Alba, right, after scoring a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Seattle Sounders, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
