Inter Miami - Houston Dynamo summary: score, goals, highlights | US Open Cup final 2023
Inter Miami vs Houston Dynamo: as it happened
Time is up at DRV PNK Stadium! That late Inter Miami rally aside, the Dynamo have been the better side. They win the US Open Cup for the second time!
First-half goals by Dorsey and Bassi win it for Houston, who briefly had a problem when Martínez halved the deficit, but survive to lift the Dewar Challenge Trophy.
Without Lionel Messi, Miami really struggled to create. The Herons miss out on the chance to lift their second piece of silverware in just over a month.
That's all from me - thanks for reading!
One last attack for Inter Miami.
Farías and Martínez exchange passes on the edge of the Houston box, working a couple of yards of shooting space for the former. He's really well placed to test Tarbell, but his strike is deflected behind.
Callender comes up for the corner, but Houston get it clear. And...
The home fans are suddenly making a whole lot more noise.
And there's a headed chance for Campana... but he can't get enough power on it! The Ecuadorian meets a right-wing cross with a firm enough header that's directed towards Tarbell's top corner, but it just doesn't have enough strength on it.
Goal! Inter Miami 1-2 Houston Dynamo - hello!
Well, well... Could we have an unlikely comeback on our hands? Miami play it into the Houston box, where Josef Martínez holds off Hadebe and fires into the net from 10 yards out!
Miami deserve nothing from this game, but they now have the rest of stoppage time to find a leveller!
Hadebe is on for Carrasquilla.
Six minutes of time added on at DRV PNK Stadium.
Carrasquilla is down and in pain. I'm not sure exactly what's wrong with him, but he's going to coming off.
So close to a third for Houston! Herrera spins on the edge of the Miami box, before feeding it left into Smith's run into the box. The substitute strikes it first time, but his shot fizzes just past Callender's far post!
Stranger things have happened, obviously, but this game has looked done and dusted for a little while now.
For a moment, Busquets' angled ball into the box looks to have got Ruiz bursting into a shooting area inside the Houston box. However, Escobar is bravely across to challenge the substitute, and it's out off Ruiz for a goal-kick.
Now Inter Miami bring Cremaschi off for Stefanelli.
More changes for Houston. Caicedo is on for Bassi and Ibrahim is on for Baird.
Inter Miami knock it from side to side in front of the Houston defence; they look really rather short of ideas. The visitors are very happy to let the hosts stroke it about some 30 yards from goal, before Farías takes a speculative pot shot. Tarbell gathers with ease.
Houston bring Quiñones off. He's replaced by Bradley Smith.
While that VAR review was happening, Inter Miami replaced Yedlin with Ruiz.
Houston Dynamo goal ruled out - 2-0 it remains
Houston aren't home and dry just yet. Referee Jon Freemon is called over to the pitchside monitor to look at the possibility that Quiñones was offside when he received the ball from Bassi, and indeed he was. Goal disallowed!
A lifeline for Inter Miami...
Goal! Inter Miami 0-3 Houston Dynamo - Quiñones seals it!
Quiñones has actually been pretty quiet in the second half, but now he's scored the goal that surely secures the US Open Cup for Houston Dynamo!
Yet again, Houston are allowed to pour forward with far too much space to pick their passes. Carrasquilla slips it left to Bassi, who in turn slips it left to Quiñones. He advances into the box before firing past Callender and into the net!
Martino is busy giving the fourth official an earful about something or other on the sidelines.
Miami win a corner - but when Houston clear, the Texans are suddenly barrelling forward in numbers. Carrasquilla finally lifts a ball to the back post, where Baird is stretching, but can't turn the ball past Callender.
Houston almost catch Miami on the break. Carrasquilla leads the counter, before his shot from 18 yards out is blocked. The loose ball falls to Baird, who tries to backheel Herrera into shooting space, but the Mexican is driven wide. He clips the ball back into the middle, but Callender gathers comfortably.
Again Inter Miami feed it out left to Allen, who crosses low once more. His ball is right at Carrasquilla, though.
64% possession for Miami in this second half; they've been much improved since the break, but still they face a two-goal deficit.
The corner comes to nothing. Bassi wins the visitors a free-kick when he's felled on the edge of the penalty box, and Houston can clear.
Yedlin crosses from the right, but it's just too long. Miami recycle it back out to the right, where the win a corner...
Back come Miami, who look much more in the mood now. Receiving the ball on the left, Allen cuts it back to Cremaschi, who has too much space to pick his spot from the corner of the Houston box. He tries to curl one past Tarbell and into the far corner, but the keeper beats it out!
Inter Miami look much better right now.
Campana flicks a neat ball around the corner and into Martínez's run in behind the Houston defence. Just as the Venezuelan appears to be streaking clear and into the box, however, he treads on the ball.
Josef Martínez goes so close to pulling one back for Inter Miami! That's by far the nearest they've come to scoring.
From deep in the right-hand channel, Farías lifts a cross into the Houston box, where Martínez flicks the ball on towards goal. Tarbell is beaten, but Martínez's header flies just past the goalkeeper's right-hand post!
The corner drops to Bassi at the back post, where he lays it off to Baird at the top of the Miami box. He dinks a ball over the defence and into the run of Herrera, who prods a looping cross back across goal, but it's not troubling the home defence. Miami clear.
Baird slips it left to Bassi, who cuts inside and threads a ball into the box towards Herrera. He's just beaten to it, but a moment later Houston win themselves a corner.
Miami win the ball right back and pop it about in front of the Houston defence for decent little while, until Farías loses it.
Still, it's encouraging for the Herons to see them actually keep the ball in the opposition half for a sustained period of possession.
Inter Miami work it out right to Yedlin, who thunders forward into crossing space. His ball is deflected behind for a corner, which comes to nought.
Bassi crossed from the left for Houston, and Sviatchenko throws himself at an acrobatic effort. He can't connect.
Just to confirm, Martínez and Arroyo are on for Taylor and Gómez.
Peeeep! We're back up and running in Florida.
No changes for Houston, I don't think.
Double HT change for Inter Miami
The players are back out on the field, and it looks like Inter Miami have brought on Josef Martínez and Dixon Arroyo. I'll confirm who they're on for forthwith.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is among the VIPS in attendance tonight.
(Photo: Hector Vivas / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Happy Harden
NBA star James Harden, who is a minority owner at Houston Dynamo, has certainly been enjoying himself so far at DRV PNK Stadium.
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/diarioas/ZJOVKFMLQ5FVZE2JFHKUATWLLY.jpg)
Some half-time reading material for you: my colleague Joe Brennan takes a look at how many finals Messi has missed over the years. Spoiler: not many.
Griffin Dorsey (25) scores the opening goal for Houston Dynamo, despite Kamal Miller's efforts to stop him.
(Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)
Peeep peeep peeeep! Jon Freemon signals for the break, and the home side have a lot to think about at half time. Houston have, by quite a considerable distance, been the better team in Fort Lauderdale.
Three minutes of time added on at DRV PNK Stadium.
Can Miami find a way back into this final before the break? The hosts work it out to the left to Allen, who plays a low ball into the box with pink shirts waiting. Sviatchenko does well to cut the cross out, though, and Houston clear.
Close from Carrasquilla! Baird backheels the ball to the midfielder on the edge of the box. He quickly gets it out of his feet and fires a low angled effort towards Callender's bottom corner, but it flashes just wide!
There's a shot for Miami, which I think is their first of the night.
The ball sits up nicely for Cremaschi to strike from 20 yards out, but he balloons it a good couple of yards over Tarbell's bar.
At one end, Miami appeal in vain for a handball when Gómez's forward pass is cut out.
At the other, Baird feeds it wide to Dorsey, who is again charging forward with malice aforethought. He tries to cut it back to Baird, but can't quite find his colleague.
This whole first half has been a real struggle for Miami. The home fans are growing audibly frustrated.
A moment later, Herrera's shot from range takes a horrible deflection that threatens to catch Callender out. The Miami keeper parries, and again the Herons have gone close to conceding a third.
Houston should be 3-0 up! Carrasquilla blazes over from 10 yards out!
The visitors are carving up Miami's defence. Quiñones feeds Baird, who scuttles towards the byline before squaring for Carrasquilla. He has time and space to shoot, but he can't find the target.
Yedlin was booked over that penalty incident, by the way. I'm not sure whether it was for the challenge - which was pretty ropey - or the backchat to the ref afterwards.
Either way, three of Miami's defenders are now on a yellow.
Goal! Inter Miami 0-2 Houston Dynamo - Bassi makes no mistake!
Bassi strokes his spot-kick right down the middle, Callender dives to his right, and the ball is in the net!
Comfortably the better side so far, Houston have doubled their lead.
Penalty to Houston!
Yedlin goes in rather wildly on Quiñones on the left-hand side of the Miami box, and Jon Freemon has no hesitation in pointing to the spot! Yedlin does get a smidge of ball, but he also gets a lot of leg.
Miami cross the halfway line once more, before working it left to Taylor - but he slices his cross, and it flies behind for a goal-kick.
Miami keep the ball for a good 90 seconds or so in the Houston half, before Kryvtsov plays a wayward pass right to a black shirt. There are loud groans from the home fans.
Lionel Messi watches on from the DRV PNK Stadium stands.
(Photo: Hector Vivas / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Houston have settled into this game much better than the hosts, and are well worth their lead.
Goal! Inter Miami 0-1 Houston Dynamo - Dorsey scores!
It had been coming, and it's a lovely opener.
Baird is released into space on the left, before cutting inside and laying it square to Artur. He waits a moment before feeding it forward into the right-wing run of Dorsey, who bursts into the Miami box and boshes a finish high past Callender and into the net!
Houston are really starting to knock at the door. Quiñones works himself a yard of space to shoot from the edge of the Inter Miami box, but Callender parries his curling effort. The loose ball falls right to Baird, though - but he can't beat the Miami keeper from close range! Baird should have done much more with that chance.
Micael rises highest to meet the corner, but his looping header is easer for Callender.
Oof, Miami are quite lucky not to concede an own goal there. Carrasquilla is released to the right-hand byline, before fizzing a low cut-back into the danger area. Callender gets a hand to it, but succeeds only in touching it onto Kryvtsov's legs. Thankfully for the Herons, the ball bounces off the Ukrainian and over the bar for a corner.
Miami defender Allen is cautioned for tugging back Carrasquilla.
Again Houston work it wide to Quiñones, who shows Yedlin a clean pair of heels and crosses from the byline. His ball is right onto the bonce of Baird, who is arriving at pace, but he can't control his header. It flies high off target.
We have another man in the book; this time it's Miami's Kryvtsov, for bundling Carrasquilla over.
Quiñones looks very dangerous on the left flank. The Colombian again gets the chance to run at the Miami defence, this time opting to cut outside before shooting from just inside the box. Callender parries, and Miami clear.
At the other end, Cremaschi looks to find Farías in shooting space at the top of the Houston box, but can't. His ball is cut out.
Houston's Escobar is the first man to go into Jon Freemon's book, and it's a richly deserved yellow. He goes in wildly and very high on Cremaschi, who is lucky to escape unharmed. As for Escobar, he's lucky the punishment wasn't more serious.
That's a really inviting opening for Houston, but they can't capitalise!
A Miami attack breaks down, and in the blink of an eye the Dynamo are breaking in numbers. It's fed left to Quiñones, who scampers forward towards the Miami box, with the Herons' defenders furiously back-pedalling.
Quiñones cuts inside and fires at goal, but Yedlin produces a crucial block!
Taylor tries to barrel his way through the Houston defence and into the box, but finds his way blocked. Gómez then fouls Carrasquilla, and the Texans will bring it clear.
We've just had our first shot of a very glum-looking Messi sitting watching from the sidelines.
There's a shooting chance for Herrera! Carrasquilla shows good hustle on the edge of the Inter Miami box, and the ball breaks to the Houston captain in a decent position to let fly - but he can't trouble Callender!
Campana wins the ball back some 40 yards out from goal, and Taylor peels off into space on the left to receive the pass. Campana can't find him, however.
A moment later, Farías lifts a ball into the Houston box, but turns away in frustration as he watches it drift just a touch long.
Inter Miami get the decibels rising among the home faithful for the first time.
Gomez exchanges passes with Taylor, but can't get his shot away from the edge of the area.
Houston start on the front foot. Escobar cuts in from the left and, having been given a little too much room to drift forward towards the Inter Miami box, before dinking a slightly aimless cross-cum-shot into the area. Callender gathers with ease.
Peeeeep! Jon Freemon gets us underway!
Almost ready for the off!
Here's a final reminder of the teams before we get going in Fort Lauderdale. If you're just tuning in, Lionel Messi is not involved.
Inter Miami:
Callender; Yedlin, Miller, Kryvtsov, Alba; Busquets, Cremaschi, Gómez; Farías, Campana and Taylor.
Houston Dynamo:
Tarbell; Escobar, Sviatchenko, Micael, Dorsey; Carrasquilla, Herrera, Artur; Bassi, Baird and Quiñones.
Teams out!
The two sides have just taken to the field at DRV PNK Stadium! It's almost time to go.
First, though, 'The Voice' contestant Kennedy Holmes will sing the US national anthem.
What happens if the game ends in a tie?
A reminder that, unlike the Leagues Cup, there will be a 30-minute extra-time period if Inter Miami vs Houston Dynamo ends all square after 90 minutes.
If the teams still can't be separated at the end of the additional half an hour, the US Open Cup will be decided by penalties.
Tonight's match referee will be Jon Freemon.
AS USA's Paul Reidy has the lowdown on the 34-year-old.
Zinedine Zidane is at DRV PNK Stadium! Here he is talking to Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, with whom he shared the Real Madrid dressing room for three years.
(Photo by Hector Vivas / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
If you're still wondering where you can tune in to the US Open Cup final, incidentally, then let me point you in the direction of our guide on how and where to watch the game.
How much prize money is at stake?
The winners of today's final in Fort Lauderdale will not only pick up the Dewar Challenge Trophy; they'll also receive a cheque for $300,000.
Lifting the US Open Cup also brings with it qualification for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup. However, as Inter Miami have already sealed their Champions Cup berth by winning the Leagues Cup, the spot allocated to the US Open Cup will go to Houston Dynamo whatever happens.
Who was Lamar Hunt?
Also, you may have noticed that the US Open Cup is officially called the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
It takes Hunt’s name in tribute to a man who was a major promoter of sports in the US - not just soccer, but also American football and tennis.
Hunt’s contribution to the growth of the beautiful game in the US saw him help found the NASL, the predecessor to Major League Soccer, before becoming a founder of MLS.
"There's a reason that the U.S Open Cup is named after Lamar Hunt, and that reason is that American soccer would not exist as we know it if not for his efforts," says Goal.com’s Ryan Tolmich.
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/diarioas/7L6JTNJH6CUHTLAFEWNUXMWVZA.jpg)
So, as you digest the news that there will be no Messi tonight, let me point you in the direction of some dashed useful pre-match reading material, courtesy of my colleague Roddy Cons.
Roddy has taken a look back over the history of the US Open Cup, which is the States' oldest soccer competition, having first been played in 1913.
Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino arrives at DRV PNK Stadium ahead of the US Open Cup final.
(Photo: EFE/EPA/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH)
Messi 'mare is dream news for Dynamo...
Houston's chances of winning the US Open Cup just got a whole lot better!
Houston Dynamo team news
Houston Dynamo's team has also been confirmed. Ben Olsen has opted for: Tarbell; Escobar, Sviatchenko, Micael, Dorsey; Carrasquilla, Herrera, Artur; Bassi, Baird and Quiñones.
Inter Miami team news: Messi OUT
We have confirmation of the Inter Miami team - and it's bad news for you Messi-philes. The Argentine isn't in the XI, or even on the bench. As expected, Jordi Alba also misses out.
Gerardo Martino has gone with: Callender; Yedlin, Miller, Kryvtsov, Alba; Busquets, Cremaschi, Gómez; Farías, Campana and Taylor.
"No sign of Messi"
You may have noticed that Messi was not visible in that video of the players' arrival - though it did only appear to be a small section of the squad. The Athletic's Paul Tenorio has tweeted this:
Kick-off fast approaching!
Both sets of players are now settled in at DRV PNK Stadium, where there's just under an hour to go until kick-off. Here, courtesy of the US Open Cup's social-media team, is the Inter Miami squad's arrival.
Black-pink show in Florida
While Inter Miami will be in their favoured pink, by the way, Houston will be in their black change kit.
Inter Miami fans arrive at DRV PNK Stadium ahead of kick-off.
(Photo by Megan Briggs / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Awaiting Messi news...
The Inter Miami dressing room is all set - the question is, will Messi be suiting up from the off? It would appear not, but we're still awaiting confirmation.
Which team has the better recent H2H record?
Houston Dynamo have won the last two meetings between today's US Open Cup finalists.
The two-time MLS champions beat Inter Miami 1-0 in April 2023, and 3-1 twelve months earlier. Both were league clashes.
Houston Dynamo: form guide
As for Houston Dynamo, they suffered a 2-1 MLS defeat to Sporting Kansas City in their most recent outing, but had previously been on a run of rather decent form.
Ben Olsen’s side, who sit fourth in the MLS Western Conference, comfortably in the playoff places, were unbeaten in seven before that loss to Kansas City.
(Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
Inter Miami: form guide
As I mentioned a few moments ago, Inter Miami have lost just once in 15 since Lionel Messi made his debut for the franchise. That one defeat came away to Atlanta United a week and a half ago - a 5-2 loss in which Messi was absent.
At DRV PNK Stadium, the Herons are currently unbeaten in eight games.
However, while Miami have enjoyed a huge upswing in fortunes since they brought in not only Messi, but also Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, they remain second bottom in the MLS Eastern Conference, five points shy of the playoff places.
Houston out to double US Open Cup tally
While Inter Miami are chasing their first ever US Open Cup win, Houston Dynamo are out to etch their name on the trophy for the second time.
The Texans previously won the tournament in 2018, beating Philadelphia Union 3-0 in the final.
Rainy conditions in Fort Lauderdale
We've got wet weather at DRV PNK Stadium, which is the venue for the final because Inter Miami won home-field advantage in a draw held before the semi-finals.
My colleagues Víctor Martín and Andy Hall have more on that.
Messi won't start - reports
It's being reported that Messi's scar-tissue problem, which relates to an hamstring injury, will keep the 36-year-old out of Inter Miami's line-up this evening.
Trophy No. 2 in the offing for Miami?
Inter Miami, who beat FC Cincinnati in the semi-finals, are into the US Open Cup final for the first time in their short history.
Having broken their silverware duck with Leagues Cup victory in August - thanks to a penalty shootout victory over Nashville SC - the Floridians now have the chance to collect their second trophy in the space of a month.
Will Messi be in the Inter Miami team?
Our Lionel is rather important to Inter Miami, you might have heard. Since joining the MLS franchise, he has boshed in 11 goals in 12 games, inspiring the team to their first ever silverware in this summer's Leagues Cup.
Since Messi's Miami debut in July, indeed, the Herons have lost just once in 15 games - and that was a match the Argentine missed.
However, his involvement today appears to be very much touch and go, due to a scar-tissue problem that forced him to sit out the weekend MLS draw with Orlando City.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Miami boss Gerardo 'Tata Martino said he'd make a late call on Messi's fitness. “It’ll be a tough decision, but we’re going to wait until the last moment," Martino said.
(Photo: Chris Arjoon / AFP)
US Open Cup final 2023: welcome!
Hello! Welcome to our live coverage of the 2023 US Open Cup final, in which Inter Miami and Houston Dynamo will slug it out to lift the Dewar Challenge Trophy in Fort Lauderdale.
Kick-off at DRV PNK Stadium is at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT.
As we wait for the team news to drop, the question on everybody's lips is: will Mr Messi play?