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Inter Miami Exits Leagues Cup After 3-2 Loss to León

8/13/2026

49 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Sounders Lose

Seattle Sounders lost 2–1 to Chivas de Guadalajara in a Leagues Cup match on Wednesday.
Coach Brian Schmetzer started a rotated squad that included four Tacoma Defiance loanees and two regular starters.
Gallatin Sandnes netted his first goal in the 13th minute after a Jesús Ferreira corner was headed by Tino Lopez.
Stefan Frei made ten saves, including a 60th-minute kick save, while 35,268 fans attended.

Summary

Messi Returns

Lionel Messi returned as halftime substitute on August 13, 2026, after his father’s funeral.
Lionel Messi said on Instagram that he doubts his future playing without his father.
Inter Miami lost 3-2 to Club León, exiting the Leagues Cup early for the first time since 2023.
Casemiro and Yannick Bright said Lionel Messi’s presence inspired the team.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., and Sergio Agüero shared condolences after Jorge Messi’s death.

History

Historical Context

The Leagues Cup began in May 2019 as an eight-team MLS-Liga MX showcase that critics called a cash-grab. After expanding to include all clubs in 2023 and a 36-team field in 2025—where Seattle Sounders won their first title—the tournament continued in 2026 with the same format, underscoring growing parity between U.S. and Mexican clubs.

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Sounders Lose

Seattle Sounders lost 2–1 to Chivas de Guadalajara in a Leagues Cup match on Wednesday.
Coach Brian Schmetzer started a rotated squad that included four Tacoma Defiance loanees and two regular starters.
Gallatin Sandnes netted his first goal in the 13th minute after a Jesús Ferreira corner was headed by Tino Lopez.
Stefan Frei made ten saves, including a 60th-minute kick save, while 35,268 fans attended.

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