Leagues Cup Winners and Losers: Cavan Sullivan shines as Inter Miami struggles
A chaotic second matchday in the Leagues Cup sees breakout performances from Cavan Sullivan and Robert Lewandowski, while Inter Miami faces pressure.
The second matchday of the Leagues Cup provided much-needed clarity on the knockout race, featuring a mix of standout individual displays and team-level struggles.
Teenager Cavan Sullivan was the star of the show for the Philadelphia Union. Under new manager Ryan Richter, the 15-year-old has been given significant minutes, and he rewarded that trust in a 3-1 win over Necaxa. Sullivan scored and assisted, proving he is ready for senior football.
Elsewhere, Robert Lewandowski reminded the league of his quality. After a slow start, he netted for Chicago Fire in a vital 3-1 victory, showing clinical composure. However, it was a different story for Inter Miami. Missing Lionel Messi, the team fell 2-1 to Monterrey, raising serious questions about their depth and defensive stability.
The Seattle Sounders finally found their rhythm, snapping a miserable losing streak with a dominant 3-0 win over Queretaro FC. Cristian Roldan’s return proved central to their tactical balance. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Whitecaps struggled significantly in the absence of Andrés Cubas, falling to FC Juarez and effectively ending their tournament run.
Finally, tempers flared in Portland. Despite scoring a goal, Kris Velde of the Portland Timbers made headlines for an aggressive post-match rant against home fans following a 3-1 loss to Club America.