Preview:Seattle Sounders vs Inter Miami - prediction, team news, lineups

Inter Miami can become the first side to capture two Leagues Cup titles when they travel to Lumen Field to face the Seattle Sounders in the final on Sunday.

Seattle advanced to this stage for the second time thanks to a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy, while the Herons ousted Orlando City 3-1 in their semi-final.

Match preview

They may not receive the same kind of attention as their Sunday opponents, but the Sounders have arguably been the best team in this tournament so far.

Brian Schmetzer’s men are the only side to win every one of their Leagues Cup contests so far this year in normal time, conceding a mere two goals en route to the final.

In this match, they have an opportunity to become the first team in the competition to go the entire knockout round without conceding a single goal and also win the trophy for the first time.

It would be sweet vindication for several of their players who were on the team that finished as runners-up in the 2021 final, leading Club Leon 1-0 after an hour but ultimately losing 3-1.

The Rave Green are unbeaten in their last nine competitive games played at Lumen Field and have won all but one of their Leagues Cup affairs on home soil, losing 3-0 to Los Angeles FC in the quarter-final stage last year.

Two of their three major cup final appearances this decade have not gone their way, with the Sounders' only triumph coming in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions Cup final versus Pumas, winning that tie 5-2 on aggregate.

We have grown accustomed to seeing Inter Miami continuously make it hard on themselves, but in the semi-finals they found a way to win yet again.

Late drama has been the story of their tournament so far, with the Herons scoring nine goals in the second half, including six beyond the 75th minute.

Javier Mascherano can claim his first trophy as a manager this weekend, and his side are on a four-match unbeaten run across all competitions heading into Sunday.

Miami have a 100% record in the Leagues Cup this year when conceding the opening goal, scoring three times in the final 13 minutes to defeat Orlando City earlier this week.

That said, the Herons have dropped points in three of their previous four away matches this season versus MLS opposition, winning only one domestic road contest in 2025 against a Western Conference side (4-1 at the Houston Dynamo).

Sunday will mark just their second visit to Lumen Field all-time, and on the previous occasion, the Herons came away with a 1-0 triumph in 2021.

Seattle Sounders Leagues Cup form:

Seattle Sounders form (all competitions):

Inter Miami Leagues Cup form:

Inter Miami form (all competitions):

Team News

In their semi-final triumph against the Galaxy, the Sounders were without Jordan Morris, who had a shoulder injury, while Joao Paulo and Paul Arriola are both doubtful for this game as they recover from cruciate ligament tears.

Also away will be Cameroonian defender Nouhou Tolo, who was given a straight red card in the latter stages of Wednesday’s semi-final victory.

Pedro De la Vega and Osaze De Rosario found the back of the net for them in that match, while Andrew Thomas made four stops for the clean sheet.

On the Miami side, Allen Obando missed their semi-final due to a hamstring strain, and Mateo Silvetti was sidelined because of a broken toe.

Meanwhile, Jordi Alba played the full 90 minutes of that clash despite a previous knee issue, while Sergio Busquets picked up his 100th cap for the Herons across all competitions.

Lionel Messi returned from a muscle strain, netting a brace for them in the latter stages on Wednesday, with Telasco Segovia also scoring in the victory.

Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:

Frei; A. Roldan, Andrade, Ragen, Sousa; Rothrock, Vargas, C. Roldan, De la Vega; De Rosario, Ferreira

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Ustari; Fray, Lujan, Falcon, Alba; Bright, Busquets; De Paul, Messi, Allende; Suarez

We say: Seattle Sounders 1-2 Inter Miami

While they always seem to get themselves into a mess, Miami dig themselves out remarkably well, and we anticipate that with all of their experience and talent, they will emerge victorious on Sunday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.