Divya Delhi: Miami moved up to fifth with a 14-6-7 record, eight points behind conference leaders Philadelphia with three games in hand, after beating Seattle.Inter Miami defeated Seattle Sounders 3-1  in their much-anticipated MLS rematch after their explosive Leagues Cup final. Lionel Messi led again. The 38-year-old Argentine, known for his legendary periods at Barcelona and leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, helped Jordi Alba open the scoring in the 12th minute and score again in the 41st, giving Miami a 2-0 halftime lead.Miami took a 3-0 lead in the 52nd minute when American defender Ian Fray scored. Mexican midfielder Obed Vargas gave Seattle a 69th-minute consolation goal.Since Seattle defeated Miami 3-0 in the Leagues Cup final , the contest was more intense. That game ended in a scuffle, with Inter Miami's Luis Suarez spitting on a Sounders employee. After apologizing, Suarez was banned from the 2026 Leagues Cup and suspended for three MLS games, serving his second game during this match.Before this triumph, Inter Miami was sixth in the Eastern Conference after losing 3-0 to Charlotte. Miami moved up to fifth with a 14-6-7 record, eight points behind conference leaders Philadelphia with three games in hand, after beating Seattle. Seattle finished fourth in the Western Conference with 12-8-9, 45 points, one point ahead of Los Angeles FC.