The Leagues Cup 2025 semifinals are set, and for the third year in a row, the final will feature only MLS teams. After a thrilling quarterfinal round that saw both drama and goals, the remaining four teams are all from the U.S. league, marking a potentially historic moment for the competition as Liga MX teams have been eliminated. The semifinals will be contested on Wednesday, August 27th, setting the stage for two intense matchups.
The first semifinal pits Inter Miami against their Florida rivals, Orlando City. This will be the third Florida Derby of the year, with Orlando City having dominated the previous two MLS regular-season matches, outscoring Inter Miami 7-1. They won 3-0 at Chase Stadium in May and 4-1 earlier this month. Inter Miami, however, will be looking to turn the tide in this crucial Leagues Cup encounter.
A significant question mark hangs over Inter Miami: Will Lionel Messi be fit to play?. He missed the quarterfinal match against Tigres UANL due to a minor muscle injury. Despite his absence, Inter Miami secured a 2-1 victory, with Luis Suárez stepping up to score two penalty goals. Coach Javier Mascherano had considered including Messi in the Tigres match, suggesting the injury isn't too serious. There is a possibility Messi could be available for the semifinal, potentially off the bench. In the match against the LA Galaxy, Messi played 45 minutes, contributing a goal and an assist.
Without Messi against Tigres UANL, Mascherano opted for a more defensive midfield setup, allowing Rodrigo De Paul to take on a more advanced and creative role. This tactical adjustment proved successful, particularly in the first half. However, Mascherano himself will be suspended for the semifinal after receiving a red card. Despite the challenges, Inter Miami aims to capture their first Leagues Cup title.
The second semifinal features the LA Galaxy hosting the Seattle Sounders. These Western Conference rivals will battle for a chance to play in the tournament final. Both clubs, with rich MLS histories, are seeking to add the Leagues Cup to their trophy collections. The LA Galaxy advanced to the semifinal after a 2-1 win over C.F. Pachuca. In their Leagues Cup campaign, the LA Galaxy have an impressive record of 3-0-1, scoring the most goals (12) among all teams. Marco Reus scored the game-winning goal in the win over C.F. Pachuca.
The Seattle Sounders reached the semifinals after a penalty shootout victory over Club Puebla. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, with the Sounders winning the shootout 4-3. The Sounders' journey continues, and if they defeat the LA Galaxy, they will host the Leagues Cup Final at Lumen Field on August 31st. However, if the Galaxy advance, the Sounders will host the 3rd/4th place match on the same day.
Both semifinal matches promise high stakes and intense competition as all four teams vie for a place in the Leagues Cup final. The winners, as well as the winner of the third-place match, will secure spots in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
