'Playing against Messi adds magnitude' - Seattle Sounders' Cristian Roldan says team is 'ready to embrace the moment' playing Inter Miami in Leagues Cup final

For the Seattle Sounders' Cristian Roldan, Sunday’s Leagues Cup final against Inter Miami represents more than just another chance at silverware. It’s an opportunity to measure how the Rave Green can handle the challenge of playing Lionel Messi - “the best player to ever play the game,” as the midfielder put it.

Roldan admitted that while the Leagues Cup may not carry the same prestige as an MLS Cup, the circumstances make it special: a home final, a shot at their 14th trophy, and the chance to claim their first title since the 2022 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

“Playing against Messi adds magnitude to the game,” Roldan said in a press conference. “You can’t afford mistakes against this team, because they’ll punish you. We have to embrace the moment, think of all the fans in the stands, and be sharp in the final third. There will be calm moments and chaotic ones, but we need to press high, recover the ball quickly, and be clinical with our chances.”

While most of the attention is on Messi and his longtime strike partner, Luis Suárez, Roldan made a point of warning his teammates about another key figure: Rodrigo De Paul. Having faced him in the Club World Cup back when the Argentine was still with Atlético Madrid, Roldan knows what the midfielder can bring.

“He’s got so much talent, but he also plays with heart. He’ll protect his teammates, he’ll tackle, he’ll defend, and then he has the ability to change a match with one pass or one run,” Roldan noted. “We talk about Messi and Suárez, but De Paul could be the difference-maker.”

Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer also addressed the looming challenge of facing Messi, while attempting to lift his squad with a bold comparison. 

“Messi is possibly the best player the world has ever seen,” Schmetzer said. “But we’ve got Paul Rothrock, Jackson Ragen, Snyder Brunell, Andrew Thomas, Pedro de la Vega. We’ve got good players too.”

As for Suárez, Schmetzer suggested his star defender Yeimar Gómez Andrade will be up to the task. 

“Suárez won’t outrun anyone, because Yeimar is faster,” he insisted.

Seattle Sounders reached the 2021 Leagues Cup final - under its previous format - but fell short against Club León. Inter Miami, meanwhile, lifted the trophy in 2023 after defeating Nashville SC in a penalty shootout. With both clubs in the final, they have already secured their place in the upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup.