Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will not be playing in the U.S. Open Cup final on Wednesday night. They were not seen entering DRV PNK Stadium with the team bus and are not part of the matchday squad to face the Houston Dynamo. Messi and Alba missed the previous match against Orlando City SC, and their availability for the final was uncertain until now.
Facundo Farias will take over the team’s attacking responsibilities in Messi’s absence. Diego Gomez is also returning to the squad after recovering from an injury.
Here’s what you need to know:
Messi is not included in the matchday squad
Due to his recent fatigue and hamstring issues, Messi has not played a full 90 minutes since September 8. It would have been unlikely for him to start in this match as he continues his recovery. This absence is a significant setback for Inter Miami.
Tata Martino’s comments on Messi’s status
Speaking before the U.S. Open Cup final, Miami manager Tata Martino explained that Messi’s participation would be decided just before the match. He stated, “We will wait until the last moment for Leo.” However, Alba’s chances of playing are minimal.
Martino also noted that they would not risk playing Messi if this match was not a cup final. However, given the importance of the final, they may consider giving him a chance if he is fit. In Messi’s absence, 21-year-old Facundo Farias will be under the spotlight. Farias has contributed three goals and one assist this season and can help fill the creative void left by Messi’s absence. Alba’s absence will also affect Miami’s attacking strategy, as Noah Allen will replace him at left back.
Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba missing from open practice
On the day before the U.S. Open Cup final, both Messi and Alba were absent from Inter Miami’s open training session. While Tata Martino downplayed their injuries, he did admit that Messi’s injury could be more severe. He mentioned that Messi has a scar from a previous injury that has been aggravated. However, Martino believes it is not a serious concern. Despite their absence, Inter Miami has a strong squad and can still compete against the Houston Dynamo.
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Messi missed the Orlando match
Before halftime against Toronto FC, both Messi and Alba were substituted due to fatigue. Even though they appeared fine on the bench, Tata Martino mentioned that Messi has been dealing with fatigue and an “injury scar.” He previously stated that the duo would not be available for the match against Orlando City SC. The priority for Inter Miami is to have Messi and Alba ready for the U.S. Open Cup final.
Inter Miami faced challenges with their schedule due to their participation in the Leagues Cup and the U.S. Open Cup. They had to play matches every few days while traveling extensively. This, along with Messi’s international duty, has resulted in fatigue for both Messi and Alba. Therefore, Martino has been rotating his squad to manage their workload and prioritize their fitness for important matches, such as the U.S. Open Cup final.
Moving forward, Martino will need to carefully navigate the next week and ensure the fitness of his players while aiming to win two matches. Despite the challenges, Inter Miami has already achieved success this season and is just one victory away from their second trophy.
How to watch
- Date: Wednesday, Sept. 27 | Time: 8:30 p.m.
- Location: DRV PNK Stadium — Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- TV: CBS Sports Network | Live stream: Paramount+
