The 2025 Leagues Cup has reached its decisive stage, and once again the spotlight shines firmly on Major League Soccer. For the second consecutive year, not a single Mexican side has advanced to the semifinals, leaving an all-MLS Final Four to battle for the trophy, prize money, and spots in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
The semifinal matchups are now set: Inter Miami vs. Orlando City SC in Florida and LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC in California. Both fixtures are locked for Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in prime-time television slots on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass (with Univision coverage also available).
This feature unpacks the confirmed schedule, the route to the semifinals, the ongoing dominance of MLS over Liga MX, and the key storylines that will define this year’s tournament.
Confirmed Semifinal Fixtures
Inter Miami CF vs. Orlando City SC
- Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
- Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT, 5:30 p.m. PT)
- Venue: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Stream: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass (Univision simulcast in the U.S.)
This clash brings together Florida rivals in what will effectively be a Leagues Cup “Clásico del Sol.” The narrative is heightened by Lionel Messi’s absence due to injury, placing added pressure on Luis Suárez and younger talents like Leonardo Campana to carry Inter Miami.
LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC
- Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
- Kickoff: 10:45 p.m. ET (9:45 p.m. CT, 7:45 p.m. PT)
- Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California
- Stream: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass (Univision simulcast in the U.S.)
This matchup pits one of MLS’s most decorated clubs against a proven tournament performer. LA Galaxy, boosted by the addition of veteran star Marco Reus, edged Pachuca in the quarterfinals. Seattle, meanwhile, advanced past Puebla on penalties, once again showcasing their tournament resilience.
How the Semifinalists Got Here
The quarterfinals were defined by narrow margins and dramatic endings. For all four Mexican sides, elimination was a bitter pill.
- Inter Miami 2–1 Tigres UANL
Suárez rolled back the years with a brace, including an 89th-minute winner. Angel Correa’s strike had given Tigres hope, but the MLS club held firm. - Orlando City 0–0 Toluca (6–5 penalties)
A cagey, scoreless contest was decided from the spot. Orlando kept their nerve to reach the semis for the first time. - Seattle Sounders 0–0 Puebla (4–3 penalties)
Another goalless stalemate, but Seattle leaned on their big-game experience and goalkeeper Stefan Frei’s penalty saves to advance. - LA Galaxy 2–1 Pachuca
A strong first half, capped by a Marco Reus goal, proved enough. Despite a late strike from Alemao, Galaxy booked their semifinal berth.
The Bigger Picture: MLS Dominance
The 2025 Leagues Cup marks the second straight year where MLS clubs have shut out Liga MX sides from the semifinals. Monterrey in 2023 was the last Mexican club to reach the Final Four.
Several factors help explain the trend:
- Home advantage: All matches are played in the U.S. or Canada, reducing travel strain for MLS clubs.
- Roster investment: MLS teams are signing marquee international players (e.g., Messi, Reus, Suárez) while also investing in youth pipelines.
- Scheduling alignment: MLS clubs are in mid-season rhythm, while Liga MX teams are often adjusting early in their domestic campaign.
This shift underscores how Leagues Cup is no longer a Liga MX stronghold — a fact that is reshaping North American soccer’s competitive balance.
Key Storylines to Watch
1. Messi’s Absence and Miami’s Response
Inter Miami advanced without their talisman, but Messi’s injury continues to dominate headlines. Without him, Miami’s attack leans heavily on Suárez’s finishing and Jordi Alba’s creativity from the back. Orlando will likely attempt to exploit that dependency.
2. Florida Derby on an International Stage
Inter Miami vs. Orlando City carries local rivalry flavor. While the clubs have met often in MLS play, this is their highest-stakes encounter yet, with a continental final berth on the line.
3. Galaxy’s Revival Behind Marco Reus
The signing of Reus raised eyebrows when announced, but the German has already delivered in clutch moments. His leadership could be decisive against a battle-tested Seattle side.
4. Seattle’s Tournament Pedigree
The Sounders have built a reputation as a tournament machine. Their 2022 Concacaf Champions League triumph remains a benchmark, and their ability to grind out results in knockout play makes them a dangerous semifinal opponent.
5. Concacaf Champions Cup Spots at Stake
The top three finishers in this year’s Leagues Cup — both finalists and the third-place match winner — will earn direct qualification to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. For clubs like Orlando and Miami, that carrot adds extra urgency.
What Comes After the Semifinals
- Third-Place Match: Sunday, August 31, 2025 (kickoff time TBA)
- Final: Sunday, August 31, 2025 (kickoff time TBA)
Both matches will also be broadcast via Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass and Univision.
Notably, MLS has already adjusted its schedule: Inter Miami’s league game against Chicago Fire, originally slated for August 29, has been moved to September 30. This ensures room for either the final or the third-place playoff.
Tactical Breakdown: Strengths and Weaknesses
Inter Miami
- Strengths: Experienced stars (Suárez, Alba), home support in Fort Lauderdale.
- Weaknesses: Overreliance on aging forwards, defensive lapses without Messi pressing high.
Orlando City
- Strengths: Compact defensive unit, strong midfield led by César Araújo.
- Weaknesses: Inconsistent scoring; reliance on penalties in knockout games.
LA Galaxy
- Strengths: Creativity and composure from Marco Reus, pace out wide, set-piece danger.
- Weaknesses: Defensive transitions remain shaky against counterattacks.
Seattle Sounders
- Strengths: Tournament experience, organized pressing, Stefan Frei in goal.
- Weaknesses: Lack of cutting edge in attack; may struggle if forced to chase the game.
Prediction Outlook
While knockout football defies certainty, the semifinals shape up intriguingly:
- Miami vs. Orlando feels like a 50-50 derby. Without Messi, Miami may struggle to impose themselves, but Suárez’s ability to deliver in clutch moments tips the scale slightly in their favor.
- Galaxy vs. Sounders could hinge on whether Seattle can stifle Reus. If LA’s attack clicks, they look marginally stronger, but Seattle’s resilience cannot be discounted.
The 2025 Leagues Cup semifinals offer more than just a pathway to silverware. They symbolize MLS’s growing dominance in North America, test the ability of marquee signings like Reus and Suárez to deliver on big stages, and showcase the evolving rivalry landscape of the league.
With both semifinals set for August 27 and the final scheduled for August 31, fans will see whether Inter Miami can survive without Messi, if Orlando can shock their neighbors, and whether the Sounders or Galaxy will take another step toward continental relevance.
One thing is clear: this year’s Leagues Cup has already marked a turning point in the MLS–Liga MX balance of power, and the climax promises to underline that shift.
