With Messi doubtful for this evening’s US Open Cup final, Inter Miami will be going in search of more silverware. Houston Dynamo stand in their way.
Diego GorostietaDiegsGorostietaAndy HallEstados UnidosUpdate: Sep 27th, 2023 13:06 EDT
MARK HUMPHREYEFE
The long-awaited day for Inter Miami’s players, fans, management and coaching staff has arrived. This evening, the Herons will play their first ever final at their own stadium – the second since they joined the MLS as an expansion franchise in 2020. Just a couple of months ago, Lionel Messi led Gerardo Martino’s side to victory in the Leagues Cup, which is to date, Miami’s first and only trophy in their honors list.
With the team settled into a more defined style of play and with Messi as their talisman, Inter Miami will play their second final in club history. The US Open Cup is up for grabs and the Houston Dynamo, who lifted the trophy for the first time in 2018, stand in Miami’s way.
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The big unknown is whether Messi will play any part in this grand final. The Argentine forward has not been at 100% physically, with an old scar tissue issue and has missed several of the team’s training sessions. Martino will decide right at the last minute whether Messi is fit to start the game, reserve him on the bench or leave him out completely.
Another key absentee for this confrontation is Jordi Alba who, like Messi, has been suffering muscular problems and according to Tata Martino, it looks unlikely that Spanish full-back will participate against Houston Dynamo.
🗣️ – Sergio Busquets pic.twitter.com/CUlvas2jIv
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 26, 2023
How many trophies has Inter Miami won in its history?
Inter Miami have only a short history within American soccer – the team made their MLS debut barely three and a half years ago and the franchise was only founded in 2018 so understandably, they haven’t been around long enough to be among the league’s most successful clubs. The team struggled during its first four seasons, reaching the playoffs just twice. Their best regular season finish so far was sixth in the Eastern Conference in 2022.
However, the arrival of Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets last summer along with experienced coach Tata Martino changed all that. All of them played an instrumental part in helping Inter Miami to reach the Leagues Cup final last month, when they defeated Nashville to win what is their only title so far.
