This isn’t just another MLS fixture. Miami still remembers that humiliation against Seattle in the Leagues Cup final, and trust me, Messi won’t want to live through that again. On the other side, the Seattle Sounders are flying, confident, and more than happy to spoil the Inter Miami party twice in a row.
🕒 Kick-off Time & How to Watch
Date: Tuesday, 16 September 2025
Venue: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale
Kick-off times:
🇺🇸 USA: 7:30 PM ET (Apple TV – MLS Season Pass)
🇬🇧 UK: 12:30 AM BST (Wednesday) (Apple TV – MLS Season Pass)
🇮🇳 India: 5:00 AM IST (Wednesday) (Apple TV – MLS Season Pass)
Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
Seattle 3–1 Inter Miami – Leagues Cup Final 2025
Inter Miami 2–0 Seattle – MLS 2024
Seattle 1–1 Inter Miami – MLS 2023
Inter Miami 1–2 Seattle – MLS 2022
First ever meeting in 2021 ended 0–0
Overall: Seattle Sounders have the upper hand recently, especially with that Leagues Cup win fresh in memory.
Team Form & Context
Image – BBC Sport
Inter Miami’s recent run has been shaky. Without Suárez (suspended), the attack doesn’t click the same. Messi drops deeper, Farias tries to cover, but the finishing edge just isn’t there. And defensively, they’ve looked fragile when pressed.
Seattle? Totally different vibe. Morris and Chú have been stretching defenses, and Rusnák keeps pulling the strings in midfield. They’re solid, structured, and not afraid of the big occasion — they showed that already.
Image – Seattle Sounder FC (Official)
Key Battles
Messi vs Seattle’s backline: He’s going to get chances. The question is: will anyone be there to finish what he creates?
Morris on the break: Inter Miami’s defense hates pace. If Seattle times it right, one counter could kill the game.
Midfield control: Busquets vs Rusnák feels like the real chess match.
Predicted Lineups
Inter Miami (4-3-3): Callender; Alba, Avilés, Kryvtsov, Yedlin; Busquets, Gressel, Farias; Messi, Taylor, Campana.
Seattle Sounders (4-2-3-1): Frei; Roldan, Gómez-Andrade, Ragen, Nouhou; João Paulo, Rusnák; Morris, Chú, Lodeiro; Ruidíaz.
What To Expect
This game has drama written all over it. Inter Miami will throw numbers forward — they need the win to settle the noise around them. But that leaves them wide open, and Seattle Sounders love those moments. If Miami scores early, expect a frantic night. If not, the crowd could get restless.
Prediction
Tough one. Miami at home is always dangerous, but Seattle aren’t scared anymore. My gut says Miami 2–1 Seattle, with Messi dragging them over the line. But don’t be shocked if Seattle nick a draw.
Featured Image – Seattle Sounders FC (Official)
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