Messi Set to Face Seattle in Heated MLS Rematch
The spotlight is back on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami as they prepare to take on the Seattle Sounders tonight in Fort Lauderdale. This game carries a bit of extra tension because just over two weeks ago, the two sides met in the Leagues Cup final. That match ended in a dominant 3-0 Seattle victory and quickly turned ugly with scuffles after the whistle, which even saw Luis Suárez suspended for spitting on a Sounders staff member. So, while the stakes are different this time—it’s an MLS regular season match instead of a cup final—the storyline is still fueled by plenty of drama.
Messi is expected to be in the starting lineup, and that alone is enough to draw global attention. Fans are eager to see if he can lift Inter Miami, especially since the team has hit a rough patch. They were embarrassed in their last two outings, losing 3-0 to Seattle in the final and then falling by the same score to Charlotte. Messi even missed a cheeky Panenka penalty against Charlotte, which only piled on the frustration. But the positive news for Miami is that Messi looks healthy again after battling a hamstring issue last month.
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Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano is downplaying any carryover from the last meeting. He reminded reporters that no two games are the same and emphasized that the team’s focus has to be on regaining confidence and climbing the standings. Miami is currently sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference with 46 points, though they do have several games in hand due to their busy summer schedule. Even so, they need results fast, as being outscored 6-0 across two matches has taken a toll. And without Suárez, Miami is leaning on younger players like Tadeo Allende to step up in attack.
The Sounders, on the other hand, are feeling more settled. They followed their Leagues Cup triumph with a solid 2-2 draw against the LA Galaxy, and they remain in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference. Their strategy against Miami worked well before—closing down Messi’s passing lanes and pressing high to disrupt his rhythm—and it wouldn’t be surprising to see that approach again tonight. Statistically, Seattle has one of the best expected goal differences in MLS, which shows how strong their structure is even on the road.
For fans tuning in, kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with streaming available on MLS Season Pass through Apple TV. Betting lines favor Miami slightly at +100, with Seattle at +220, and the over/under set at 3.5 goals. It’s the kind of matchup where anything can happen, especially with Messi on the field.
And while speculation about Messi’s long-term future—like whether he’ll play in the 2026 World Cup—continues to swirl, tonight the focus is firmly on the present. Inter Miami needs a spark, Seattle wants to prove their Cup win wasn’t a fluke, and fans are guaranteed a high-stakes showdown.
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