Stadium Crowds Reach All-Time High in Seattle during Visit of Messi's Miami Team
The Leagues Cup final is set to take place at Lumen Field in Seattle on Sunday night, pitting the Sounders against Inter Miami in a highly-anticipated showdown. This tournament, which features teams from Major League Soccer and Mexico's Liga MX, is not the most high-profile, but a final is a final, and the anticipation and excitement are ramped up at this stage.
Seattle is aiming to make history by becoming the first team to win all of the championships on offer in North American soccer. They have previously triumphed in the MLS Cup, Supporters Shield, U.S. Open Cup, and Concacaf Champions League, and adding the Leagues Cup to their trophy cabinet would be a significant achievement.
However, the Sounders will have to do so without suspended striker Danny Musovski, who will miss the final. Osaze De Rosario and designated player Pedro de la Vega are expected to take on a more significant role in the Sounders' attack in his absence. Key creator Albert Rusnák could also see some game time later in the final, having recently returned from injury.
Lumen Field, home to the Seattle Sounders, Seattle Seahawks, and Seattle Reign, is particularly well-suited for soccer. The atmosphere within the stadium has been so loud for certain sporting events that it has registered as seismic activity on local earthquake monitoring networks. The current attendance record at Lumen Field was set in 2019 when Seattle hosted Toronto FC in the MLS Cup final, with 69,274 spectators.
The Leagues Cup final will serve as a showpiece event for Lumen Field and Seattle ahead of the 2026 World Cup, for which the city will host six games. One of the group matches at the World Cup that will be held at Lumen Field will be the United States' second group game, and the opposition for that match will be determined at the World Cup draw in December. Lumen Field's final appearance at the 2026 World Cup will be a last 16 match.
The Leagues Cup tournament has attracted criticism for its introduction in the middle of the year, encroaching on the U.S. Open Cup and being unnecessary given the Concacaf Champions Cup. MLS has withdrawn numerous teams from the U.S. Open Cup since the expanded Leagues Cup was introduced in 2023, partly due to scheduling issues caused by the Leagues Cup.
Despite the controversy, the World Cup organizers may wish they had kept Lumen Field involved for longer in the 2026 World Cup due to its popularity with fans and its visually appealing appearance on TV. The stadium's inclusion in the tournament is a testament to its status as one of the premier soccer venues in North America.
The Sounders have been on a good run recently, having only lost once in their last 17 games. They will be looking to carry this form into the Leagues Cup final and secure a historic double of the MLS Cup and Leagues Cup. Inter Miami, who are looking to win the tournament for a second time, will provide tough opposition, but the Sounders will be confident of emerging victorious in front of their home fans.
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