Lionel Messi was absent as Inter Miami suffered a defeat to the Houston Dynamo in the final of the US Open Cup.

Lionel Messi observed Inter Miami's participation in the US Open Cup final against the Houston Dynamo. However, in a disappointing turn of events, Inter Miami succumbed to a 2-1 defeat in the final. Despite Lionel Messi's absence due to injury, he was present at Miami's DRV PNK Stadium. In his short tenure with the team, Messi had already played a crucial role in helping Inter Miami secure its first major trophy. Nevertheless, the team seemed disjointed without him, allowing Houston to take a commanding two-goal lead in the first half courtesy of goals from Griffin Dorsey and Amine Bassi.

Although Josef Martínez scored a late goal in injury time, granting Miami a glimmer of hope, Houston showcased its resilience and managed to secure the club's fourth major trophy under the guidance of head coach Ben Olsen. "It holds significant value for the club, the team, and everyone associated with Houston," remarked Dorsey, the right back for Houston, during an interview with CBS sideline reporter Susannah Collins. "We have experienced a challenging period as the Houston Dynamo, and this victory will establish our presence and confirm our competitiveness in multiple tournaments such as the MLS, Open Cup, Leagues Cup, and any other cups or leagues we participate in."

Olsen, a former US men's national team player and US Open Cup winner as head coach of DC United, bestowed specific praise upon his midfield comprising Héctor Herrera, Coco Carrasquilla, Bassi, and Artur, attributing their performance as the key factor behind the victory. "The outcome of this game hinged upon our central midfield's ability to deliver on their potential. If they stepped up, our chances of winning tonight were promising. And they certainly did," Olsen appraised. "The first half, in particular, showcased some exquisite play. Héctor, in particular, was absolutely outstanding. Artur consistently performs at such a high level that I've come to expect nothing less from him every game. Coco's aggressive attacking runs from midfield nicely complemented their style, and Bassi's influence was truly organic. "We provide them with a framework for success, but much of what you witness is intangible—the chemistry and connections within that quartet—it's organic. It's a joy to watch, and they genuinely enjoy playing alongside each other." The defeat for Miami has dampened the optimism that had enveloped the club since Messi's arrival earlier this summer. The 36-year-old has already guided the team to success in the Leagues Cup and has played a vital role in revitalizing their league performances. However, due to both Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba's absence from the US Open Cup final due to injury, Miami struggled to pose a consistent attacking threat, seldom troubling the Houston defense. Following the defeat, Inter Miami manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino attributed his team's weariness to the demanding schedule they have endured. "What I witnessed was a fatigued team," Martino expounded. "The truth is, the consequences of playing so many games were bound to catch up with us eventually. "We've begun feeling the toll through injuries, and we've started experiencing a decline in functionality."

THE MVP: In addition to successfully converting the penalty kick, Bassi proved to be a constant threat during Dynamo's exceptionally flawless final performance. The talented Moroccan player demonstrated his skill by generating numerous scoring opportunities, ultimately playing a pivotal role in guiding his team to a well-deserved championship victory.

THE BIG LOSER: Yedlin experienced a challenging day on the field, as his unfortunate foul resulted in the costly penalty that significantly hindered Miami's chances of triumph. The decision to award the penalty was indisputable, and Yedlin's misjudgment ultimately contributed to Miami's defeat, albeit to a certain extent.