In a surprising turn of events, Inter Miami came up short in the US Open Cup finals, losing 2-1 to Houston Dynamo. The absence of their superstar, Lionel Messi, was deeply felt as Miami’s game seemed disjointed.
While Messi, who has transformed Inter Miami’s fate since his inclusion in July, was present at DRV PNK Stadium, he was held back from playing on the pitch due to a setback. Dynamo capitalized on this, with Griffin Dorsey and Amine Bassi securing a two-goal lead early on. Although a last-minute strike by Josef Martínez reignited Miami’s hopes, Houston maintained their lead, marking their fourth major title and the first under the guidance of Ben Olsen.
Speaking of the achievement, Dorsey expressed to CBS’s Susannah Collins, “This victory signifies a rejuvenation for Houston Dynamo. It places us firmly on the map, proving our mettle in every league and cup competition.”
Ben Olsen, who has previously tasted US Open Cup success with DC United, lauded his midfielders – Héctor Herrera, Coco Carrasquilla, Bassi, and Artur. Olsen remarked, “The game was essentially decided in the midfield. When they play to their best, they’re unstoppable. Their synergy on the field is so organic and delightful to witness.”
However, for Inter Miami, the result has somewhat dimmed the excitement Messi’s signing had initially sparked. Messi’s leadership had already guided them to a Leagues Cup victory and an upswing in league performance. But the absence of Messi and his ex-Barcelona mate, Jordi Alba, due to injuries, impacted Miami’s offensive capabilities in the final.
Post-match, Inter Miami’s manager, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, cited the team’s hectic calendar as a potential reason for their performance. “A compact schedule has its repercussions. Wear and tear are becoming evident and our game’s fluidity is getting impacted,” Martino observed.
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