Houston Dynamo Win US Open Cup Final Without Injured Lionel Messi
Houston Dynamo won the US Open Cup final in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday night, but without the injured Lionel Messi. The 36-year-old forward was substituted against Toronto FC last week due to an “old injury” and sat out Miami’s draw at Orlando City on Monday.
Griffin Dorsey and an Amine Bassi penalty put Houston 2-0 up, before Josef Martinez scored a consolation for Miami in stoppage time. Houston goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made three saves as Dynamo clinched their second US Open Cup in five years.
Miami’s Spain defender Jordi Alba also missed the game due to injury. Miami manager Gerardo Martino said Argentina World Cup winner Messi’s return to full fitness was the club’s top priority.
“It was not prudent for him to play. We couldn’t even consider playing him for a few minutes because we would be taking risks,” said former Barcelona and Argentina boss Martino. Martino said Messi will “certainly play before the league is over”.
The regular MLS season ends on 21 October, with the play-offs taking place from 25 October to 9 December. Messi has scored 11 goals and provided five assists for the MLS franchise since joining in July after his Paris St-Germain contract expired.
## Houston Dynamo Win US Open Cup Final Without Injured Lionel Messi
Houston Dynamo won the US Open Cup final in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday night, but without the injured Lionel Messi. The 36-year-old forward was substituted against Toronto FC last week due to an “old injury” and sat out Miami’s draw at Orlando City on Monday.
Griffin Dorsey and an Amine Bassi penalty put Houston 2-0 up, before Josef Martinez scored a consolation for Miami in stoppage time. Houston goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made three saves as Dynamo clinched their second US Open Cup in five years.
## Injury Troubles for Miami
Miami’s Spain defender Jordi Alba also missed the game due to injury. Miami manager Gerardo Martino said Argentina World Cup winner Messi’s return to full fitness was the club’s top priority.
“It was not prudent for him to play. We couldn’t even consider playing him for a few minutes because we would be taking risks,” said former Barcelona and Argentina boss Martino. Martino said Messi will “certainly play before the league is over”.
The regular MLS season ends on 21 October, with the play-offs taking place from 25 October to 9 December. Messi has scored 11 goals and provided five assists for the MLS franchise since joining in July after his Paris St-Germain contract expired.
## Houston Dynamo Secure Second US Open Cup Title in Five Years
Houston Dynamo secured their second US Open Cup title in five years with a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami on Wednesday night. Griffin Dorsey and an Amine Bassi penalty put Houston 2-0 up, before Josef Martinez scored a consolation for Miami in stoppage time. Houston goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made three saves as Dynamo clinched their second US Open Cup in five years.
The victory was bittersweet for Miami, however, as both Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were absent due to injury. Despite this, Miami manager Gerardo Martino said that Messi’s return to full fitness was the club’s top priority and that he will “certainly play before the league is over”.
The regular MLS season ends on 21 October, with the play-offs taking place from 25 October to 9 December. Messi has scored 11 goals and provided five assists for the MLS franchise since joining in July after his Paris St-Germain contract expired.
## Conclusion
Houston Dynamo won the US Open Cup final in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday night, without the injured Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba. Griffin Dorsey and an Amine Bassi penalty put Houston 2-0 up, before Josef Martinez scored a consolation for Miami in stoppage time. Houston goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made three saves as Dynamo clinched their second US Open Cup in five years.
Miami manager Gerardo Martino said that Messi’s return to full fitness was the club’s top priority and that he will “certainly play before the league is over”. The regular MLS season ends on 21 October, with the play-offs taking place from 25 October to 9 December. Messi has scored 11 goals and provided five assists for the MLS franchise since joining in July after his Paris St-Germain contract expired.
Houston Dynamo have now won two US Open Cup titles in five years and will be looking to build on this success in the upcoming MLS season.