Inter Miami was able to get to the final of the U.S. Open Cup despite a tumultuous match against FC Cincinnati.
On Wednesday night, Lionel Messi was not on the field, and the Houston Dynamo were able to capitalize on his absence.
On Wednesday, the Dynamo defeated Inter Miami in the final of the U.S. Open Cup at DRV PNK Stadium in South Florida. The match was relatively easy for the Dynamo, who took a 2-0 lead into halftime. While the Dynamo dominated the first half, Messi, who has been phenomenal since he arrived earlier this summer, was forced to miss another match due to exhaustion. Messi has been fantastic since he arrived.
Griffin Dorsey scored the game’s opening goal for Houston in the 24th minute after breaking free on the right side of the field and firing a shot into the top corner of the net past Drake Callender.
After being brought down within the penalty area by DeAndre Yedlin, Amine Bassi was awarded a penalty kick, which he successfully converted less than ten minutes later. That gave Houston a 2-0 lead, which it maintained throughout the rest of the game and into the halftime break.
Tata Martino, the head coach of Inter Miami, stated that Lionel Messi would not participate in the game if it were a typical match from the Major League Soccer season. There is more riding on the outcome of the U.S. Open Cup final, and Martino and Messi got together prior to the game to discuss the player’s availability.
After stunning fans all over the world, Messi joined Inter Miami in June, and almost immediately his presence could be felt on the team. Messi contributed to the team’s League Cup success by scoring nine goals in the first six games he played with it after joining it.
Last month, Messi and Inter Miami advanced to the final of the U.S. Open Cup by prevailing on penalties after a tumultuous match against FC Cincinnati, which they won 5-4. Messi joined the match on Wednesday night having either missed or been removed from the previous six club and national team games. On September 7, as Argentina was competing against Ecuador, he “felt something” in his leg for the first time. Even in the game against Toronto FC the week prior, he departed the field late in the first half.
Given that he came in and drastically transformed one of the teams with the poorest record in the MLS when he initially arrived, a healthy Messi would have been quite helpful for Inter Miami on Wednesday night. Since Messi won’t be on the field for this match, it’s difficult to predict how the club will perform against Houston, who defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1 in its quarterfinals match but is coming off a 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City the week before in Major League Soccer action.
Watch as Inter Miami takes on Houston Dynamo in the final of the United States Open Cup and follow along as Yahoo Sports gives the most recent news, scores, and injuries.
