A violent postmatch brawl marred the Leagues Cup final between Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders, with Miami’s Luis Suárez at the center of the controversy after allegedly spitting on a Sounders staff member and instigating a physical altercation that required intervention from both teams.
The incident occurred immediately after the final whistle of the Leagues Cup final on August 31, 2025, at Lumen Field in Seattle, where the Sounders secured a dominant 3-0 victory to claim their first Leagues Cup trophy. As Seattle players began celebrating, Suárez, frustrated by the loss, grabbed Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas and placed him in a headlock, sparking the melee.
Benches from both sides cleared as players rushed onto the field, with Seattle defender Yeimar Gómez Andrade attempting to break up the initial scuffle. The situation quickly escalated into a nearly three-minute brawl involving multiple players from both teams, with shoving, yelling, and physical confrontations.
Amid the chaos, Suárez was captured on camera engaging in a heated exchange with a member of the Sounders’ security staff. Video evidence shows Suárez seemingly spitting into the face of the staff member, an act that has drawn widespread condemnation and could lead to severe disciplinary action.
Other players were involved in the altercation, including Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón, who held Seattle defender Cody Baker—who did not play in the match—in a headlock at one point. The skirmish saw Suárez himself being flipped to the ground during the fracas.
Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer expressed disappointment that the brawl was overshadowing his team’s historic victory. “Unfortunately, that is going to take some of the attention away from a great performance by the Seattle Sounders,” he said, adding that he had a quiet moment with Lionel Messi after the game to try to move past the incident.
The Leagues Cup Organizing Committee has announced that it will review the incidents and proceed accordingly, though no timeline has been provided for the investigation. Suárez, known for past controversies including biting incidents, faces potential sanctions from the league.
The game itself was physical, with Inter Miami players frequently disputing referee decisions, but the postmatch events have shifted focus to questions of sportsmanship and discipline. The brawl occurred in front of a crowd of over 69,000 fans, the largest at Lumen Field for a Sounders match since 2022.
As the league investigates, the incident raises concerns about player conduct and the image of MLS, potentially leading to fines, suspensions, or other penalties for those involved. The Sounders’ achievement in winning the trophy is now coupled with the unsavory memory of the postmatch violence.