Houston Dynamo Triumph 2-1 Over Messi-Less Inter Miami to Claim U.S. Open Cup

In a U.S. Open Cup final without Lionel Messi, the Houston Dynamo emerged victorious, defeating Inter Miami 2-1. Messi was sidelined due to a leg issue, marking his fourth absence in his last five games for club and country. Despite a late goal by Josef Martinez for Inter Miami, Messi could only watch from the bench as his team fell short.

Griffin Dorsey and Amine Bassi scored first-half goals for the Houston Dynamo, securing their win in the U.S. Open Cup. Notably, NBA star James Harden, a part of the team's ownership group, witnessed the victory from the stands.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino explained that it wasn't prudent to play Messi against Houston due to his leg issue. However, the team expects him to return for upcoming MLS matches. Messi will continue to undergo evaluation to determine his fitness.

Messi has faced injury troubles, missing several matches for club and country recently. This includes a subbed-out appearance in a match against Toronto, an absence in the game against Atlanta United, and a premature exit during the match against Orlando.

Fans had high expectations of seeing Messi play on his new home field. Ticket prices on the secondary market reflected this anticipation, with some reaching nearly $4,000. Messi's absence likely disappointed many who had hoped to see him in action.

This victory marks Houston Dynamo's second U.S. Open Cup win, with their previous title coming in 2018. The U.S. Open Cup, dating back to 1913, features domestic teams from various U.S. leagues competing against each other.

While Messi's absence was a setback, Inter Miami is still in contention for the MLS playoffs. They have upcoming matches against New York City FC, Chicago, and Cincinnati, with the hope of securing a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Lionel Messi's impact on Inter Miami, both on and off the field, continues to be a significant storyline in the world of soccer.

SportsLigue