Frigid weather didn’t keep Lionel Messi from scoring in Inter Miami’s first game of 2025, a 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday at Kansas City, Kan., in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup opening-round series.
Depending on the source, the game-time temperature was either 7 degrees F or 9 degrees F, with a wind-chill factor below zero. The game was played a day later than originally scheduled due to the weather.
The two-match, total-goals series will conclude Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
In the 56th minute, Sergio Busquets lofted a pass from the midfield to Messi, who was running into the penalty area. Messi brought the ball down with his chest, took a touch to slide around a defender, then rolled a right-footed shot into the far corner of the net.
Sounders 3, Antigua 1
Second-half goals from Pedro de la Vega and Albert Rusnak lifted Seattle to a victory at Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala.
de la Vega’s 30-yard, right-footed strike found the top right corner in the 61st minute to snap a 1-1 halftime tie. Rusnak clinched the victory in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, rolling in a goal from 12 yards, capping an impressive team attack that followed an Antigua giveaway at midfield.
Seattle’s Paul Arriola opened the scoring in the third minute before Oscar Santis equalized for Antigua in the 24th minute.
The teams will conclude the series in Seattle on Feb. 26.
Real Salt Lake 0, Herediano 0
Rafael Cabral made five saves while leading Real Salt Lake to a scoreless draw against Herediano at San Jose, Costa Rica.
The second leg is scheduled for Feb. 26 in Sandy, Utah. The victor will advance to oppose the reigning MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy in the round of 16.
Herediano goalie Dany Carvajal was needed for just two saves as his team finished with an 18-7 edge in total shots. The game’s three yellow cards were all shown to players on the Costa Rican side.
FC Cincinnati 4, FC Motagua 1
Pavel Bucha scored two goals, including an insurance tally in the second half, as FC Cincinnati pulled away against Motagua at Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Evander added a late goal and an assist and Kevin Denkey scored the tiebreaking goal early in the second half for Cincinnati, which got three saves from Roman Celentano.
For Motagua, Rodrigo Auzmendi’s header evened the game in the 41st minute, but Denkey put Cincinnati ahead to stay in the 49th minute on his first goal with the club. Bucha scored the game’s first goal in the 28th minute, a left-footed blast to the top left corner.
The teams will wrap up the two-game series on Wednesday in Cincinnati.
–Field Level Media
