Open Cup final live tracker: Houston holds on to beat Inter Miami 2-1 as Lionel Messi sits with injury
By Ryan Young
Houston Dynamo emerged victorious in the U.S. Open Cup final on Wednesday night, defeating Inter Miami 2-1 at DRV PNK Stadium in South Florida. The absence of Lionel Messi, who has been instrumental for Inter Miami since joining earlier in the summer, proved to be a decisive factor in the match.
It was Houston’s second Open Cup triumph, following their previous victory in 2018. Despite Messi’s absence due to fatigue, the Dynamo dominated the first half, gaining an early advantage. Griffin Dorsey opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a powerful strike into the top corner. Amine Bassi then doubled Houston’s lead from the penalty spot after being fouled by DeAndre Yedlin.
Miami managed to avoid a shutout when Josef Martinez scored in the 91st minute by sneaking the ball between the legs of Houston goalkeeper Steve Clark. However, it was too late for Miami to mount a comeback and force extra time.
Ahead of the match, Inter Miami coach Tata Martino confirmed that Messi would not have played if it were a regular-season MLS match. The importance of the U.S. Open Cup final led to a discussion between Martino and Messi regarding his availability.
Messi’s impact on Inter Miami has been immense since joining the club in June. He scored nine goals in his first six games, playing a crucial role in the team’s Leagues Cup victory. However, Messi’s recent injury struggles prevented him from making an appearance in the final.
Houston’s victory over Inter Miami was significant given their recent form. The Dynamo previously defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1 in the semifinals but suffered a 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City in MLS play last week.
Without Messi’s presence, Inter Miami found it challenging to break down Houston’s defense, ultimately falling short in their pursuit of the cup. A healthy Messi could have potentially turned the tide in favor of Inter Miami, considering the dramatic impact he has had on the team’s fortunes.
Fans followed Yahoo Sports’ live tracker for the latest updates, scores, and injury news throughout the U.S. Open Cup final between Inter Miami and Houston Dynamo.