It looks like there was no party for Inter Miami in the US Open Cup final when they lost to Houston Dynamo.
Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba couldn’t play due to injuries, but Sergio Busquets was on the field for Miami. However, Houston started the game really well and scored their first goal with Griffin Dorsey after 24 minutes.
Soon after that, things got worse for Miami when DeAndre Yedlin fouled an opponent in the penalty box, and Houston got a penalty kick. Amine Bassi scored from the penalty spot, making it even harder for Miami.
In the second half, Miami tried to make a comeback, and Josef Martinez scored a goal in the 92nd minute. But it was too late for them, and Houston Dynamo won the US Open Cup. David Beckham, who owns the team, watched as his team played better in the second half, but they couldn’t catch up.
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Messi and Alba injury
Before the big game, everyone was talking about whether Messi would be fit to play. He had hurt his leg while playing for Argentina, and people didn’t know if he’d be ready for the final.
But, just 40 minutes before the game started, Inter Miami shared their team lineup on social media, and Messi and Alba weren’t in it. This made it feel like Miami was already at a disadvantage before the match even began.
Messi is known for his goal-scoring ability and his ability to create opportunities for his team. Without him, Miami struggled to score goals and lacked the excitement that Messi usually brings to their games. Messi was in the stands but couldn’t help his team on the field.
Match Report
The first half of the game was really tough for Miami. Houston was clearly in control, and the stats at halftime proved it. Houston took a whopping 18 shots in the first half, while Miami only managed one shot. That’s a huge difference and one of the biggest shot differences in MLS games in 2023.
By the end of the game, Houston had taken 19 shots, and Miami had taken 12. Miami played better in the second half, but the damage was already done. Houston’s defense was strong and didn’t let Miami score easily.
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The goalkeeper, Drake Callender, had to make some important saves, although he did drop the ball once in the first save, which gave the opponent a second chance.
One player, Martinez, had some good opportunities to score for Miami, but he missed a few chances. In the 58th minute, he slipped while trying to score, and two minutes later, he missed a header. He did score a goal in the end, in the 92nd minute, but it was too late for Miami to catch up.
In the final moments of the game, Miami had a few chances to score, but they couldn’t stay calm and finish them. So, despite their efforts, they couldn’t win the game.
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