Schmetzer: Our success should not be discounted
Inter Miami fell at the last hurdle in the Leagues Cup final, as the Seattle Sounders recorded a 3-0 win in the competition's showpiece.
Seattle Sounders boss Brian Schmetzer claimed that his and owner Adrian Hanauer’s success “should not be discounted” following their Leagues Cup triumph.
Alex Roldan starred with a goal and two assists as the Sounders defeated Inter Miami 3-0, setting up goals for Osaze De Rosario and Paul Rothrock on either side of his 84th-minute penalty.
Despite second-half chances created by Luis Suarez, Miami were unable to convert, and frustration boiled over at full-time.
Suarez is potentially facing consequences for an apparent spitting incident involving a Seattle staff member.
The Sounders, who claimed their ninth trophy since becoming an MLS side, have scooped their first piece of silverware in three years.
Reflecting on the journey after the final whistle, Schmetzer paid tribute to the club's roots and the man who helped elevate the team to the MLS stage.
"The success that [Hanauer] and I have built should not be discounted," Schmetzer said during his post-game press conference.
"Because when we came, we were a USL team and he had a vision to get the team into MLS, and we had big owners and an ownership group and things. But he’s the one who does the things behind the scenes, and it’s a credit to him.
"The organisation from top to bottom, the coaches, everybody, they deserve this. The fans deserve this win. Because it’s been 20-some odd years since I’ve been with the club, and then you sprinkle in a couple of years when I was 17, 19, 20 – so it might even be 25. I’ll have to do the maths. But credit to everybody in the organisation."
Despite posting five shots and the most attempted dribbles (seven), Lionel Messi was unable to inspire his side to what would have been the 47th trophy of his career.
Reflecting on his side’s defeat, Miami head coach Javier Mascherano did not hold back in his assessment: "In matches like these, details are decisive.
"The first few minutes cost us the game. We tried to grow into it, but unfortunately, we conceded in the first half. In the second half, we dominated and created chances.
"The 3-0 scoreline is too heavy. We took risks, and their second goal effectively ended the game."
