Sounders enter defense of Leagues Cup title battered, on losing streak

The Sounders have the trophy and hung a banner but are hardly playing like a defending champion.

A club record six-game losing streak in MLS competitions and mounting injuries are casting a pall on the start of the defense of their Leagues Cup championship Wednesday. The Sounders shut down Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami before a record 69,314 people at Lumen Field last year to win the title in historic fashion.