The Seattle Sounders have started Leagues Cup 2025 with a bang, racking up all six points available while scoring nine goals with a +8 differential. It's got the Rave Green in prime position to advance into the tournament quarterfinals, which they can do with any type of result on Wednesday vs. Club Tijuana.
With one last Phase One match to go, here are few takeaways from what we've so far.
Inter Miami dealt a blow
Inter Miami CF has been thrown some early adversity, as Lionel Messi exited their match against Necaxa with what was later dubbed a "minor" muscle injury. While that's a positive early prognosis, any sort of absence for Messi throws a wrench in Miami's campaign that could have ripple effects. With Messi on the field, the Herons have an all-time X-factor that can get them a result in any given game – a powerful weapon when it comes to tournament soccer. Inter Miami are sitting in the No. 3 spot on the MLS table with five points, so it'll be interesting to see if they can get the result they need to advance if they have to do it without the leader of the Barca Boys.
It's been pretty even between leagues
Discourse regarding the quality comparisons between MLS and Liga MX always comes to the forefront when their respective clubs face off. The general consensus is still that Liga MX remains comfortably ahead, something that was hard to argue with after Cruz Azul absolutely pummelled Vancouver in the Concacaf Champions Cup final earlier this year. For whatever it's worth, Leagues Cup has had a more even dynamic, with Liga MX clubs getting off to a hot start before ceding momentum to their MLS counterparts in subsequent matches. Part of that is due to the homefield advantage MLS clubs are afforded hosting all these matches, but that alone doesn't explain some of the crooked scorelines we've seen, even beyond Seattle's seven-goal demolition of that same Cruz Azul side. We'll see if that dynamic continues as the tournament progresses.
Seattle has an opportunity
Under this weird new format with 18 clubs per league on each table, the degree of difficulty of finishing in a top-four spot and advancing to the quarters is extremely high. One minor mistake that leads to any dropped points at all can be the difference between moving on and getting eliminated. With that in mind, Seattle's six-point, nine-goal haul so far puts them in what I thought was a pretty improbable position, as one of the few clubs who really control their own destiny going into their final Phase One match. With how the team is firing on offense at the moment, a legitimate run is in the cards if they just take care of business on Wednesday, ideally without getting any red cards. Whatever importance you place on Leagues Cup, the prize money and CCC spots on the line will become all the more tantalizing if they can make the most of this hot start.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Wednesday, Aug. 6 vs. Club Tijuana | 8 pm PT | MLS Season Pass | Leagues Cup 2025 Phase One
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- Pedro de la Vega reaching new heights
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Reign
Next league match: Sunday, Aug. 10 at Portland Thorns | 1 pm PT | CBS
Defiance
Next match: Sunday, Aug. 10 vs. LAFC 2 | 8 pm PT | MLS Season Pass
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
- Who's in, who's out? Leagues Cup 2025 knockout stage (MLSsoccer)
- Son Heung-min to Follow Strict MLS Rule at LAFC: Only Lionel Messi is Exempt (GiveMeSport)
- MLS Commissioner Defends Apple TV Deal: “Critics Don’t Get It Yet” (Cord Cutters News)
- FIFA condemns death threats against Mexican official at Leagues Cup. (The Athletic)
- Looking back on Marta’s amazing career. (ESPN)
- KC Current still sit atop ESPN’s NWSL power rankings. (ESPN)
