2023 US Open Cup Final preview: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF host Houston Dynamo in all-MLS title game

September of 2022 with the first of four qualifying rounds, only two teams now remain. The winner will be crowned on Wednesday evening when Inter Miami CF hosts the Houston Dynamo FC. Unlike last year’s run to the Final by Sacramento Republic of the USL Championship (Div. 2 pro) this is an all-MLS affair. For the 26th time since the league launched in 1996, a Major League Soccer team will lift the cup.

Some folks may consider Houston the underdog in this game, as Inter Miami is firmly has struggled mightily this MLS season and could miss their post-season entirely. However, the club is very much the hotter side. Major international signings like World Cup winner Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets have ignited the team in recent months. Inter won the Leagues Cup on Aug. 20, its first ever major trophy. Coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino is trying to win his 2nd US Soccer Major trophy (2018 MLS Cup). Houston will be trying for their second Open Cup title in as many finals (2018). Coach Ben Olsen is looking for his second title as a coach to go with one as a player (2008).

The teams have met three times in league play over three seasons (no Open Cup) with Houston leading the series 2 wins to 1 (4 goals to 2)

Houston Dynamo FC (MLS) at Inter Miami CF (MLS)
DRV PNK Stadium; Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast (ENG) Paramount +, CBS Sports Network; (ESP) Telemundo, Peacock, NBC Universo

Visitor: Houston Dynamo FC (MLS play: 12-7-11, 42 points, 4th place in Western Conference)
2nd USOC Final appearance – 1 title (2018)
15th USOC – appearance
Overall:24-2-12 (1-1 PK)
on road:5-1-7 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 10-1-10 (1-0 PK)
Won 5 straight USOC games
Won 2 straight USOC road games

Coach: Ben Olsen – record 12-4-5 (2-2 PK) with DC United 2010-2020 & Houston Dynamo 2022-present

The Houston Dynamo are only the fourth Texas side to make the final. They’re also the only Texas winner since the Dallas Burn/FC Dallas’ run of four final appearances (winning in 1997 & 2016, losing in 2005 & 2007). Head Coach, Ben Olsen, is trying to win his 2nd US Soccer Major trophy (2013 US Open Cup). As a player he has won three US Soccer Major trophies: US Open Cup (2008) MLS Cup (1999, 2004)

Olsen has rebuilt the team after a string of paltry, and worse, seasons since 2018. This includes two 13th-place finishes. This is a side that has no remnants of the team that won it back in 2018.

Houston’s captain, Hector Herrera, is looking forward to a rematch with Leo Messi. Herrera’s Mexico and Messi’s Argentina battled in the most recent FIFA World Cup. Messi’s side won that game 2-0, with Messi bagging the game winner, just 10 months ago in Qatar.

Path to the Final: Houston Dynamo FC

Houston wins their opening game in the tournament for the ninth year in a row. A high energy game was decided by a 43rd minute goal by 18-year-old Brooklyn Raines.

Iceland international, Thor Úlfarsson, scored the lone goal in the 12th minute to see the home side through to the 5th round.

Led by a Corey Baird hat trick (a first-ever for Houston Dynamo player in the USOC), the Dynamo manhandled a short-handed Minnesota side to advance.

Nelson Quiñónes and Ibrahim Aliyu each had 2 goals to leave 4-time Open Cup winners, Chicago Fire, out of the running.

Amine Bassi had 3 assists, one each for Héctor Herrera, Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla, and Luís Caicedo to advance to their second final.

Texas teams that have made the USOC Final

• Richardson Rockets (SISL)1991 (Lost)
• El Paso Patriots (USISL Pro)1995 (Lost)
• Dallas Burn (MLS)1997 (Won in PKs)
• FC Dallas (MLS)2005 (Lost)
• FC Dallas  (MLS)2007 (Lost)
• FC Dallas  (MLS)2016 (Won)
• Houston Dynamo (MLS) 2018 (Won)
• Houston Dynamo (MLS)2023 (???)

Host: Inter Miami CF (MLS play: 9-5-15, 32 Points, 14th place in Eastern Conference)

1st USOC Final appearance
2nd USOC appearance
Overall: 5-3-0 (2-1 PK)
at Home: 3-0-0
vs. MLS: 1-2-0 (1-1 PK)
Unbeaten in their last 8 USOC games

Coach “Tata” Martino – record 2-1-2 (1-0 PK) with Atlanta United 2016-2018 & Inter Miami 2023-present

Inter Miami are just the fourth Florida team to make it to the US Open Cup final. If they can win it, they will be the third winner and the second in as many years – Orlando City SC won the title last year. Inter has had a more down than up season, currently sitting in 14th place in MLS’ Eastern Conference. A victory over Houston would give the Herons their 1st Open Cup title in their 1st Open Cup Final appearance. This game is also a potential domestic and North American double, having won the Leagues Cup on August 20.

With a victory here, and if they can find some consistency and points, they could limp into the playoffs which would set them up for a potential domestic and North American treble (Leagues Cup, Open Cup, MLS Cup), so Miami has a lot to play for.

New hero, Lionel Messi, is coming off a precautionary rest day last weekend against Orlando City. The recent workload he has been given has aggravated an old injury, so the 36-year-old Messi was not suited up in Orlando. He is expected to start in the final.

Path to the Final: Inter Miami CF

A 2nd minute goal by Miami FC was nearly enough to oust the Herons but an 89th minute equalizer from Shanyder Borgelin forced the extra frames. Miami FC re-took the lead in the 116th but Ryan Sailor equalized in the 118th minute.

In a very tight contest, a 48th minute Charleston own goal was the difference to send the MLS side through to the 5th round.

Two second half goals by Franco Negri in the 57th and Nicolas Steffanelli in the 73rd minute got the job done for the home side.

Through the swirls of Messi rumors, the Herons got the job done through a 56th minute goal from Nicolas Steffanelli.

Lionel Messi stamped himself on this game. After spotting Cincy a 2-goal lead, Messi would set up Leonardo Campana, TWICE, in the second half (68th, 90+7) to equalize. Josef Martinez put Miami in front in the 93rd, but Cincy would find a third goal to force PKs.

Florida teams that have made the USOC Final

• St. Petersburg Kickers (amateur)1989 (Won)
• Miami Fusion (MLS) 2000 (Lost)
• Orlando City SC (MLS)2022 (Won)
• Inter Miami CF (MLS)2023 (???)