Inter Miami were missing their star man as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup final, but the opposition manager was unconcerned by his absence.
Messi was an injury doubt heading into the game, and failed a late fitness test to feature having missed the last few Inter Miami games.
Miami pulled a late goal back through Josef Martinez but could not turn around their deficit, and lost in what was arguably the biggest game remaining this season.
Messi’s absence
Prior to the game, Houston Dynamo coach Ben Olsen claimed that his side were preparing for the game on the assumption that Messi would play. Without their star man, Inter Miami could not pull off a result, but Olsen has claimed that Tata Martino’s side still had enough quality to win.
“You can’t always play a full game at a really high level. This team’s hard. If you don’t stick the knife in when you get a third chance, a fourth chance, you know they’re going to continue to come back,” hs stated.
“There’s too much quality on that field. They were missing a player or two, but I don’t really care. I don’t really care.”
What next for Miami?
Martino has confirmed that Messi will play in the side’s remaining MLS fixtures, despite suggestions that he would sit the rest of the season out, but he has to recover from injury first.
Miami need to figure out how to win when they are without their talisman, as the 36-year-old will not be able to play every game.
Whilst there was disappointment at the defeat, Miami fans still have plenty to be excited about for the rest of the season and beyond, and Messi will hopefully return soon to bring the joy back.