Lionel Messi’s availability for the US Open Cup final between Inter Miami and Houston Dynamo remains uncertain due to an injury. However, Houston Dynamo’s head coach, Ben Olsen, is hopeful that the football icon will make a comeback in this crucial match, scheduled to be played at the DRV PNK Stadium in Florida.
While addressing reporters ahead of the final showdown, Olsen stated, “We’re pretty sure he’ll play. We’ll prepare for them in that way. They’ve got some options if that isn’t the case. But we’ll prepare for their best lineup unless we hear something more concrete.”
Olsen acknowledged the challenge of facing Messi, saying, “There’s been thousands of coaches that have tried to stop him and thousands of coaches have failed constantly, so I don’t have the magic bullet to stop Messi.”
He added, “No one has proven that they do have that. But of course, we’re all trying to do the same thing: limit his space and condense the areas. There’s all these little tricks that you can do to try to limit him. But they’ve also put together a very good supporting cast around him, so now you dial in too much there and there’s a lot of other guys that can hurt you.”
Lionel Messi was last seen in action during Inter Miami’s 4-0 victory over Toronto FC in Major League Soccer (MLS). However, he had to exit the game due to injury in the first half. Messi did not travel with the Inter Miami squad for their fixture against Orlando City SC, leaving his injury status uncertain.
Inter Miami’s coach, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, emphasized the importance of evaluating Messi’s condition, considering factors such as the U.S. Open Cup final, the player’s well-being, and future matches. Martino explained, “The player, the [U.S. Open Cup] final, and what comes after. These three scenarios have to be evaluated; it is not just about the next game. Risk is always there, but we try to decrease the margin of risk.”
A victory in the US Open Cup final would mark Inter Miami’s second silverware of the season, having already claimed the Leagues Cup. The match will be followed by five regular-season games in the MLS, as Inter Miami aims for a playoff berth.
Inter Miami’s next MLS fixture is against New York City FC, a crucial match with playoff implications in the Eastern Conference standings. Lionel Messi’s potential return adds an exciting layer of anticipation to this important clash in the world of soccer.