The compliment was genuine, but it became something of an albatross for the MLS Cup champions. Miami beat it 2-1 thanks to a few uncharacteristic Columbus errors, and Martino's insistence on Columbus's greatness in defeat only served to highlight that Miami was greater still.

Still in its infancy, the Leagues Cup has grown in popularity since its inaugural season in 2023 when Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to a first-ever title.Since then, Major League Soccer and Liga MX have teamed up to try to push their new competition's credibility and popularity,