Inter Miami vs. Houston Dynamo score: Ben Olsen guides underdogs to U.S. Open Cup as Lionel Messi misses out (2024)

Miami's on the board!

90'+2 - Farias passes the ball to Martinez, who dashes towards the penalty area, waits to take the touch, and then puts the ball in the back of the net. There might just be a chance for the hosts to level the score with at least four minutes of stoppage time left.

Houston goal called offside

73' - The visitors appeared to score a third, but there's a tight offside call on the play. The score stays at 2-0 to the visitors, and Miami perhaps can still see a way out of this deficit after a second half performance with some promise.

A flurry of chances for Miami

59' - Martinez is at it again and carves out a nice spot in the box, but slips and fails to capitalize on the opportunity. Miami's offense has finally arrived, though, and continue to test Tarbell and the Dynamo defense.

Martinez with a header

56' - Miami earn a freekick near the penalty area and Farias' ball finds Martinez's head, but the substitute sneds the shot over the crossbar. Without a doubt, that was Miami's best look of the night.

Better for Miami

55' - The hosts started this half actually getting close to goal -- a rare sighting during the first 45 -- but have not added to their shot count, which still stands at one. The Dynamo are starting to find their legs in the second half, though, which could be bad news for Miami.

Second half underway

Miami make two subs at the half - Martinez and Arroyo come on fro Gomez and Taylor.

HT: Miami 0, Houston 2

The visitors have run rampant during this first 45 and dominated in nearly way. In addition to the goals, the Dynamo have 18 shots, five of which were on target. Miami, by comparison, took just one off-target shot during the first half. The home fans might not be happy, but Dynamo owner James Harden sure is.

Miami's first shot

42' - It nearly took the entire half, but Inter Miami registered their first shot of the game. It was not necessarily a major opportunity for the hosts, though - Cremaschi's attempt from distance landed wide of the goal.

Houston double their lead!

31' - Yedlin tackles Quinones from behind, which is a clear and obvious penalty for the Dynamo even after a VAR check. Bassi converts the penalty after going straight down the middle. It's going from bad to worse for Miami.

Houston strike first!

24' - It's been all Houston, all the time to start this final and they get the goal to back it up. The Dynamo spring into action after a giveaway from Inter Miami, and after a wonderful team sequence, Artur plays a smart little pass to Dorsey in the box, and he smashes it into the back of the net from close range for the game's opening goal.

Callendar with a big stop

23' - Quinones's impressive shot from an angle is matched by an equally impressive save from Callendar, though the goalkeeper ends up spilling it. Baird is unable to capitalize on the chance, which was probably the closest Houston have gotten to scoring all night.

A nervy start

So far both teams have had some good chances but the final ball just isn't there for either side. Houston's midfield has been able to turn the Herons over but Kamal Miller has made last-ditch interventions to stop an early goal from going in. When Miami gets forward, their decision making is just a bit too slow in order to lead to a goal. Chances are coming so it feels like only a matter of time until things settle before the game sees its first goal.

Dynamo with a shot

4' - Carrasquilla took the game's first shot from distance, but it sailed wide of the net and did little to threaten Miami's defense.

Let the game begin

Inter Miami kick things off, and the 2023 U.S. Open Cup final is officially underway.

Miami without Messi

Miami still boasts a 2-1-1 record without Messi in the squad, and boasts some talent on the team that could see the pick up another trophy. The 21-year-old Farias will take Messi's place in the lineup and has impressed since joining the club over the summer. He has three goals and one assist, and has been one of Miami's most impressive newcomers other than the ex-Barcelona trio.

It's also worth noting that Miami has improved considerably since Martino arrived as the head coach a few weeks before Messi signed his deal. Charlie Davies provided the reminder in the pre-game show on CBS Sports Network.

• Davies:"I think when you have Tata Martino on the sidelines, it's still an advantage because tactically he sets them up well. You still have Sergio Busquets and this team is quality. WIth or without Messi, the level has [been] raised considerably so I think they're going to bring their A game. Plus, they're playing at home. Houston, on the other hand, is not a great away side so I think there are still some benefits to having Messi, just not on the pitch."

Farias leads Miami's attack

As was previously reported, Messi will not dress for Miami tonight. Alba also misses out but Busquets is in the lineup and Farias will be the player to keep an eye on in Miami's attack. Here's how the hosts will start.

Inter Miami starting lineup: Callendar, Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Miller, Allen, Busequets, Cremaschi, Gomez, Farias, Campana, Taylor

Substitutes: Dos Santos, Arroyo, Aviles, Martinez, McVey, Ruiz, Stefanelli

Herrera starts for Houston

As expected, Herrera will lead Houston as they aim for their first trophy under Olsen. Here's how they line up tonight.

Houston Dynamo starting lineup: Tarbell, Escobar, Sviatchenko, Michel, Dorsey, Carrasquilla, Herrera, Artur, Bassi, Baird, Quinones

Substitutes: Clark, Smith, Steres, Hadebe, Caicedo, Franco, Aliyu

Messi won't play a part tonight

Looking at players as they've gotten off the bus and entered the stadium, two key names weren't seen in that 18. Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba. While Alba was a doubt coming in, Tata Martino was expected to do everything that he could in order to get Messi to the squad tonight but it wasn't to be as he's not available tonight. Diego Gomez has returned following his injury on international duty with Paraguay.

Herrera's key for Houston

While Inter Miami is very much known for their stars, the Houston Dynamo also come to this clash with a standout talent of their own. Mexican international Hector Herrera has been central to a major rebuild in Houston under Ben Olsen, both of whom joined the club last year. The head coach sang Herrera's praises before tonight's match.

"He's been massive. I've talked about it many times. He's helped me. We've fostered a very good relationship, one built on trust and freedom in some ways. He's been given the keys to this team and he understands that," Olsen said. "The group, the group dynamics, he has a real weight on his shoulders and responsibility to do well for the club and make sure he's a huge part of turning this club around as a [designated player], a lot of money was spent to bring him here and he understands all that."

Messi's not starting

Per TyC Sport, Messi will not be in the starting lineup tonight for Miami. This comes as little surprise considering his minutes have been very much managed over the last few weeks - he skipped two games for Miami and one for Argentina this month, and came off after roughly half an hour in Miami's win over Toronto a week ago.

Messi latest

Chuck Booth reports that the the verdict on Messi's playing time will be a game-time decision, and that a likely scenario would see him start on the bench. Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino played his cards close to his chest during his pre-match press conference -- he said Messi joined training after the period that was open to media ended, and that the team is well aware of the high-stakes encounter that is a cup final.

• Booth: "Speaking ahead of Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup final, the Miami manager said that Messi is, in effect, a gametime decision. 'We are going to wait on Leo until the last moment.' … Speaking ahead of Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup final, the Miami manager said that Messi is, in effect, a gametime decision. 'We are going to wait on Leo until the last moment.'"

DRV PNK Stadum is ready

While this won't be Miami's first final of the season since they defeated Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup final, it will be the first final hosted at their home stadium tonight in the Open Cup final. While there is uncertainty on Messi's availability for the match, the Herons will do everything that they can to win this and their fans will be more than ready for the occasion. There's rain in the forecast but as long as the lightning can hold off, it will be business as usual tonight.

How to watch

• Date: Wednesday, Sept. 27 |Time: 8:30 p.m.
• Location: DRV PNK Stadium -- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• TV:CBS Sports Network |Live stream:Paramount+

Hello and welcome!

The latest edition of Messi mania is here, even if there are question marks about how big a role the star will play today. We will have the latest on his availability and from the game as Inter Miami and the Houston Dynamo eye the U.S. Open Cup trophy.