Diego Rossi helps Monterrey to 2-1 Leagues Cup win over Messi-less Inter Miami

MIAMI (AP) — Diego Rossi scored the go-ahead goal in the 90th minute to help Monterrey to a 2-1 win over Inter Miami, which played without Lionel Messi, in the group stage of the Leagues Cup on Saturday night.

Messi returned to his native Argentina following the death of his father, Jorge, earlier in the day. It is not known when the 39-year-old star forward will return to the club.

The 39-year-old Messi took a two-week break after leading Argentina to a runner-up World Cup finish. He made his first appearance as a reserve when Inter Miami tied Columbus 2-2 in an MLS match Aug. 1. Messi then had two goals and an assist in Inter Miami’s first Leagues Cup match – a 4-2 win against Atletico San Luis on Wednesday.

Miami (1-1-0, 3 points) won the 2023 Leagues Cup and reached the final last year, but its chances of advancing to the knockout stage appear bleak with one match remaining in its 18-team group.

The strike by Rossi, who was acquired July 3 from the Columbus Crew, capped a two-goal second half for Monterrey (1-1-0, 3 points). Rossi won the 2022 MLS Golden Boot for Los Angeles FC and he helped Columbus to titles in the 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup.

Monterrey erased a 1-0 halftime deficit on Hugo Cuypers’ equalizer in the 47th minute. Cuypers was an 2026 MLS All-Star and scored 13 goals in 11 games this season for the Chicago Fire before his transfer to Monterrey on July 23.

Rodrigo De Paul put Inter Miami on the board with a strike from 25 yards that landed inside the left post in the 32nd minute.

As he celebrated the goal, De Paul temporarily removed his No. 7 jersey to reveal Messi’s No. 10 in support of his national team and club teammate, which resulted in a yellow card.

Monterrey defender Carlos Salcedo went off due to an injury in the 15th minute and was replaced by Jorge Rodríguez.

Both clubs conclude the group phase on Wednesday. Miami will host León while Monterrey will visit Nashville.

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

Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright, right, kicks the ball against Monterrey midfielder Diego Rossi (9) 19during the second half of a Leagues Cup soccer match, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, left, talks with forward Daniel Pinter (56) during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Monterrey, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Monterrey defender Carlos Salcedo lies on the field during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

A fan holds a cutout face of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi before a Leagues Cup soccer match between Inter Miami and Monterrey, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Fans hold a sign in support of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, who's father Jorge Messi passed away, before a Leagues Cup soccer match between Inter Miami and Monterrey, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills first-year coach Joe Brady used the team’s first practice in its new $2.1 billion stadium to enjoy a brief father-son moment on Saturday night.

With fans beginning to file in, and rock music blaring over the state-of-the-art sound system, Brady emerged from the tunnel holding his 3-year-old son Jordan in his arm while enjoying a walk around the sideline.

As much as the first-year coach wanted to use the practice to simulate a game-day routine and get accustomed to the team’s new surroundings, Brady couldn’t help but work family into the equation.

“Those are the moments that I made sure I tried to take in,” Brady said. “So when I say hey, I’m focused, let me just take a second to enjoy a special moment, because once the season goes, you know those are going to be few and far between.”

Soon after, it was back to football for Brady, who at 36 is the NFL’s youngest coach entering this season, and also for a Bills team that officially made the move across the street into its new digs.

The first practice at Highmark Stadium featured a crowd of at least 30,000, a couple of Josh Allen touchdown passes, a brief but heavy downpour, and closed with a fireworks show.

Buffalo will get more chances to break in the new facility before hosting Detroit in its regular-season home opener on Sept. 17. The Bills will also host two preseason games, starting with a meeting against Carolina on Aug. 15.

“It’s awesome. I know everybody loved ‘The Ralph’ and what was over there across the street,” right tackle Spencer Brown said, referring to the Bills former home, also called Highmark. The old home was dubbed The Ralph in honor of franchise founder Ralph Wilson.

“But this is a whole new atmosphere and it’s awesome to call it home. And I look forward to seeing how it is on a normal game day,” Brown added. “It seems like the crowd’s more on top of you. And I imagine on third down it will be rocking.”

With a capacity of just over 60,000, the new stadium has 12,000 fewer seats than the Bills old home. And yet the vertical configuration of the new stadium, with levels stacked overtop one another, brings the fans closer to the action and designed to contain the noise.

“It’s intimidating,” season ticket-holder Tom Beecher said, from his first-row seat at the 15-yard-line. “It’s going to be interesting when it really gets rocking in here. It’s less people, but I feel like it’s going to be louder. It feels like more.”

The loudest cheers were devoted to Allen, of course. They first rose when Allen was pictured on the video-screen boards at each of the stadium during the pre-practice stretching period.

Allen looked up, smiled and provided a thumbs up.

Later, he drew even louder cheers for completing would-be touchdown passes to DJ Moore and then Khalil Shakir.

Place-kicker Tyler Bass gave the new stadium a thumbs-up for its design and aesthetics.

“First impressions, man, it’s amazing. I think it’s a work of art, honestly. It’s very easy on the eye, very symmetrical,” Bass said.

He also credited the design features, including a curved overhang, in working to limit the effects of the wind. Pre-storm wind gusts outside the stadium were barely felt at field level.

Starting center Connor McGovern was escorted to the locker room after appearing to hurt his left leg. Backup running back Ty Johnson did not return after going down with a non-contact injury. Brady did not have any immediate updates on the two players. ... The Bills are off Sunday. The team resumes training camp at its home facility on Monday after spending the past two weeks at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York. ... Though Brady wanted to use the practice as a test-run for game day communications, not all of his staff was present. Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael was excused to attend Drew Brees’ induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Carmichael was the Saints offensive coordinator during much of Brees' tenure in New Orleans.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Buffalo Bills fans pose for photos outside of Highmark Stadium before practice at the team's NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) plays catch with fans during practice at the team's NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) walks on the field during practice at the team's NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Overall view of Highmark Stadium during Buffalo Bills practice at the team's NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady looks around the stadium during practice at the team's NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)