Lionel Messi is simply rewriting Inter Miami’s history. The MLS club struggled to win before the arrival of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner; they had, in fact, gone eleven games without a win before he showed up. Ever since the Argentine talisman’s arrival, they have not only won a trophy but have also gone eight straight games without a defeat.
Indeed, the Lionel Messi and Inter Miami triumphs continue as the club steps into their second Cup final after winning the first. Inter Miami’s first US Open Cup final will be against Houston Dynamo FC.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami to face Houston Dynamo FC in US Open Cup final
Lionel Messi has led Inter Miami to yet another Cup final after winning their first-ever League Cup with an outstanding goal, setting the team up for a fighting chance at penalties. The 36-year-old-7-time Ballon d’Or winner has been in blue flames since he landed in Inter Miami this summer, exceeding everyone’s expectations with his outstanding performances and jaw-dropping goals, game after game.
Things weren’t going so well for the MLS side before Messi joined; Inter Miami had gone on a straight eleven-game losing streak. Indeed, no trophy had ever been won in the club’s history. But since the Argentine World Cup winner made his sensational debut for the club, he has led Inter Miami to eight wins in eight games, with the recent victory firing Inter Miami into the US Open Cup finals. In all campaigns for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi has scored ten goals and assisted three in this unbeaten run.
Lionel Messi displayed both his human and superhuman sides on Wednesday evening. During the first 70 minutes of the match, he had a relatively uneventful presence. However, he then went on to assist in Miami’s first goal and remarkably followed it up with an assist for their second goal in the 97th minute, leading Miami on to their second Cup Final.
After trailing for most of the game, Inter Miami picked up a late equalizer and went on to penalties, with Benjamin Cremaschi scoring the game-winning penalty in the shootout after the 120 minutes of action ended at a 3-3 stalemate.
Inter Miami once could barely secure a win, but they have now made it to the second final in history. They would face Houston Dynamo FC in the US Open Cup final.
Date, time, venue: Everything to know about the Cup final
The Messi magic persisted as Lionel Messi contributed with two assists during an exhilarating two-goal comeback, propelling Inter Miami to secure a spot in the U.S. Open Cup final scheduled for late September. Their opponent will be the Houston Dynamo, who advanced after a thrilling extra-time victory against Real Salt Lake in the semifinals. Notably, Houston was situated comfortably within a playoff position in the Western Conference at that juncture.
The @opencup final is locked in. 🔒@InterMiamiCF will host @HoustonDynamo. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/El7vfeccJn
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 24, 2023
The US Open Cup final will be played on Wednesday, September 27. The 2023 U.S. Open Cup winner will be determined on that date at DRV PNK STADIUM in Miami. CBS Sports and Telemundo will televise the championship match. However, further information regarding additional broadcasting specifics and time is yet to be communicated.
