Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup {FINALS} !

 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final  

The 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final was a soccer match played on September 27, 2023, at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. It was contested by Inter Miami CF and Houston Dynamo FC to determine the winner of the 108th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

GOAL!!

Martinez gets one back for Inter Miami with an inventive finish.

Miami wins a corner in the last minute of the game. They have sent everyone forward, but they can’t get the goal. It is full time and Houston wins the US Open Cup.

Nothing for Inter Miami to work with. The home side is sorely missing Lionel Messi’s creativity. Meanwhile, Houston Dynamo is not slowing down as they hunt for a second goal.

WHY MESSI DID NOT PLAY?

Lionel Messi watched from the sidelines as Inter Miami CF lost 2-1 to the Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup final after he was not named in the squad due to an injury picked up while on Argentina duty.

Manager Gerardo Martino said Tuesday that whether his star player was available or not would come down to a game-time decision. When the lineup was revealed ahead of the final at DRV PNK Stadium, Messi was not listed on the team sheet.

BUT..............

Without Lionel Messi, Inter Miami loses 2-1 to Houston in US Open Cup final.

HOW??

With two of its stars missing, Miami was overmatched and Houston took full advantage, scoring twice in the first half from Griffin Dorsey's close-range thunderbolt and a penalty by Amine Bassi as the visitors controlled the game.

Houston had the majority of possession in the first half and created several attacking chances that forced early saves out of Drake Callender. The away side took the lead in the 24th minute through a strike by Griffin Dorsey, which was followed by a penalty call in their favor in the 33rd minute for a foul by DeAndre Yedlin. Amine Bassi converted the penalty for the Dynamo in the 33rd minute to give the team a 2–0 lead at half-time. Miami made several adjustments at half-time, including the addition of Josef Martínez, but failed to convert most of their chances. Houston scored an apparent third goal in the 73rd minute that was overturned by the video assistant referee for an offside. Martínez scored a consolation goal in stoppage time as the Dynamo won 2–1 to clinch their second U.S. Open Cup title