Messi-less Inter Miami lose U.S. Open Cup final to Houston Dynamo

MIAMI: The Houston Dynamo defeated Inter Miami 2-1 to win the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday with an injured Lionel Messi watching from the stands at DRV PNK Stadium.

Without Messi and his former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba, Miami struggled to compete with an enterprising Houston and could have little to complain about the outcome.

Miami co-owner David Beckham, who watched the game with his former Real Madrid team-mate Zinedine Zidane, had hoped for another night of celebration for his club after their Leagues Cup triumph last month.

But Miami lacked intensity and ideas as it was given the runaround by Ben Olsen’s impressive Houston team.

No clear explanation has been given for Messi’s injury with references to “muscle fatigue” followed by talk from coach Gerardo Martino of “scars” from an old injury.

The World Cup-winner was withdrawn in the first half of the MLS win over Toronto last week and sat out Sunday’s draw at Orlando City. Agencies

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