De Rosario’s Header Gives Seattle Sounders Early Lead in Leagues Cup Final

SEATTLE, Aug. 31, 2025 - Osaze De Rosario broke the deadlock in the Leagues Cup final against Inter Miami with a powerful header at Lumen Field, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and giving Seattle a 1-0 advantage.

The decisive moment came in the 28th minute when Álex Roldán delivered a pinpoint cross from the right flank, finding De Rosario unmarked in the penalty area. De Rosario met the ball with a textbook header that skimmed past Inter Miami goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and into the lower corner.

Seattle, buoyed by a record-setting attendance for a Leagues Cup fixture, maintained its intensity but were unable to extend their lead before halftime. Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi and a potent attacking lineup, responded by increasing their pressure in search of an equalizer, yet the Sounders’ defense held firm.

Despite sustained pressure from Miami in the second half, Seattle’s back line, marshaled by captain Yeimar Gómez, repelled multiple attempts, preserving De Rosario’s solitary goal. As the match approached its closing stages, Inter Miami pushed forward aggressively, but Seattle countered with swift transitions that nearly caught Miami off guard on several occasions.

With the Sounders aiming to secure their first Leagues Cup title, De Rosario’s early strike proved pivotal. The 24-year-old forward, son of Canadian soccer legend Dwayne De Rosario, showcased his aerial prowess on the sport’s biggest stage, reinforcing his breakout season in Major League Soccer.