Houston Dynamo also won the US Open Cup in 2018
An injured Lionel Messi watched from the stands as Inter Miami lost 2-1 to Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final.
Striker Messi, 36, was substituted against Toronto FC last week due to an “old injury” and had to sit out Miami’s draw against Orlando City on Monday.
Griffin Dorsey and an Amine Bassi penalty gave Houston a 2-0 lead in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Josef Martinez scored Miami’s consolation goal in injury time.
Houston goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made three saves as the Dynamo won their second US Open Cup in five years.
Miami’s Spanish defender Jordi Alba also missed the game due to injury.
Miami coach Gerardo Martino said Argentina’s World Cup winner Messi’s return to full fitness was the club’s top priority.
“It wasn’t smart for him to play. We couldn’t even think about using him for a few minutes because we would be taking risks,” said former Barcelona and Argentina coach Martino.
Martino said Messi would “certainly play before the league is over”.
The MLS regular season ends on October 21st, with the playoffs taking place from October 25th to December 9th.
Messi has scored 11 goals and provided five assists for the MLS side since joining in July after his contract with Paris St-Germain expired.
2023-09-28 07:35:28
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