2023 U.S. Open Cup final

{{further|2023 U.S. Open Cup}}

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is an annual soccer competition open to adult teams in the United States that are affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation. Its 99 participants include professional and amateur teams, with the exception of reserve and academy teams that are directly owned and operated by Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs. The 2023 tournament was the 108th edition of the U.S. Open Cup, the oldest ongoing soccer tournament in the United States.{{cite news |last=Bonn |first=Kyle |date=August 22, 2023 |title=US Open Cup 2023 scores, draw, results, bracket, schedule, matches for all rounds of US soccer tournament |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/us-open-cup-2023-scores-draw-results-bracket-schedule-matches/fdhr4egw5jqoltztfnjqnlsv |work=The Sporting News |accessdate=August 23, 2023}}

The 26 eligible MLS teams entered in the third and fourth rounds, facing teams from USL Championship (USLC), USL League One (USL1), the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), and amateur leagues. From the third round onward, participants were organized into groups of four to six teams based on geographic location and pairings were drawn accordingly. Hosts were also determined with a random draw with priority given to venues that met minimum tournament standards.{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jason |date=April 6, 2023 |title=2023 U.S. Open Cup third round draw revealed |url=https://prosoccerwire.usatoday.com/2023/04/06/us-open-cup-third-round-draw-2023/ |work=USA Today |department=Pro Soccer Wire |accessdate=August 23, 2023}} The two finalists, Inter Miami CF and Houston Dynamo FC, are both from MLS and had previously met in regular season play in April; Houston won the match 1–0 at home.{{cite web |title=Inter Miami CF vs. Houston Dynamo FC (September 28, 2023) |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/686735 |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=September 1, 2023}}

Inter Miami CF joined MLS as an expansion team in 2020 and played in their first U.S. Open Cup in 2022, where they were eliminated in the round of 16 by in-state rivals Orlando City SC, who won a penalty shootout.{{cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Michelle |author-link=Michelle Kaufman |date=May 25, 2022 |title=Neville's mind on Texas massacre after Inter Miami ousted from U.S. Open Cup by Orlando |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article261804652.html |work=Miami Herald |accessdate=August 23, 2023}} They entered the third round of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup along with the lower tranche of MLS teams and were drawn against Miami FC, a USLC team from the same area.{{cite news |last=Rueter |first=Jeff |date=August 22, 2023 |title=What is the U.S. Open Cup? Soccer tournament history, how to watch and Messi's path to another trophy |url=https://theathletic.com/4795121/2023/08/22/us-open-cup-history-broadcast-messi/ |work=The Athletic |url-access=subscription |accessdate=August 23, 2023}} The match was played at Miami FC's home venue, FIU Stadium, and ended in a penalty shootout after a 2–2 draw; Inter Miami CF won the shootout 5–3 amid a six-match losing streak in league play.{{cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Michelle |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Inter Miami advances to U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 after PK shootout win over Miami FC |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article274631706.html |work=Miami Herald |accessdate=August 23, 2023}}

The team advanced to the round of 32 and hosted the Charleston Battery of USLC, who they defeated 1–0 through an own goal.{{cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Michelle |date=May 9, 2023 |title=Inter Miami advances to U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 with 1-0 win over Charleston Battery |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article275200036.html |work=Miami Herald |accessdate=August 23, 2023}} Inter Miami CF then traveled to play Nashville SC, who they lost to six days before their round of 16 fixture; Miami won 2–1 and ended Nashville's eight-match unbeaten streak after the match was disrupted for a half-hour due to a lightning delay. Striker Nicolás Stefanelli entered the match as a second-half substitute and scored the winning goal in the 73rd minute, restoring a lead that the team had gained in the 57th minute through Franco Negri.{{cite news |last=Organ |first=Mike |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Miami snaps Nashville SC's unbeaten streak in U.S. Open Cup game |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nashvillesc/2023/05/23/miami-fc-snaps-nashville-sc-unbeaten-streak-in-u-s-open-cup-game/70249556007/ |work=The Tennessean |accessdate=September 1, 2023}}

Stefanelli then scored the lone goal in Inter Miami CF's 1–0 quarterfinal victory in June against Birmingham Legion FC, a USLC team that hosted the fixture and set a soccer attendance record for Alabama.{{cite news |last=Dudley |first=Evan |date=June 7, 2023 |title=Birmingham Legion fall to Inter Miami CF in U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2023/06/birmingham-legion-fall-to-inter-miami-cf-in-us-open-cup-quarterfinal.html |work=The Birmingham News |accessdate=September 1, 2023}} Miami made major changes to their squad in the two months between rounds by hiring manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino and signing international stars Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets—all former FC Barcelona players.{{cite news |last=Boehm |first=Charles |date=August 23, 2023 |title=Lionel Messi goes "súper crack" mode: Inter Miami reach Open Cup final |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/lionel-messi-enters-super-crack-mode-as-inter-miami-reach-open-cup-final |work=MLSsoccer.com |accessdate=September 1, 2023}}{{cite news |date=July 20, 2023 |title=Jordi Alba: Inter Miami sign Spain defender to join Lionel Messi & Sergio Busquets |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66263425 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=September 1, 2023}} Four days after their victory in the Leagues Cup final, Inter Miami CF traveled to play FC Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. Cincinnati took a 2–0 lead early in the second half, but Messi's two assists to Leonardo Campana were converted—the latter in stoppage time—to force extra time.{{cite news |last=Maurer |first=Pablo |date=August 23, 2023 |title=How Messi got Inter Miami to the U.S. Open Cup final with two assists and a fiery team talk |url=https://theathletic.com/4801995/2023/08/24/lionel-messi-inter-miami-us-open-cup/ |work=The Athletic |url-access=subscription |accessdate=September 1, 2023}} Josef Martínez's strike gave Miami a 3–2 lead until Yuya Kubo equalized for Cincinnati as the match ended in a 3–3 draw. In the fifth round of the penalty shootout, Nick Hagglund's shot was saved by Drake Callender and rookie Benjamin Cremaschi converted his to give Inter Miami CF a berth in the U.S. Open Cup final.{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Simon |date=August 23, 2023 |title=Messi inspiration: Inter Miami heads to Open Cup final |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/97320/messi-inspiration-inter-miami-heads-to-open-cup-f.html |work=Soccer America |url-access=subscription |accessdate=September 1, 2023}}

The Dynamo won the 2018 edition of the U.S. Open Cup against the Philadelphia Union and had yet to return to a final; the team had also been completely rebuilt under new head coach Ben Olsen.{{cite news |last=Fontela |first=Jonah |date=July 31, 2023 |title=The Champs Stand Alone: Houston Dynamo's 2018 Open Cup Story |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2023/07/the-champs-stand-alone-houston-dynamos-2018-open-cup-story |publisher=U.S. Soccer |accessdate=September 1, 2023}} Houston entered the 2023 edition in the third round and faced USLC's Tampa Bay Rowdies on the road in Florida. The Dynamo won 1–0 through a goal from teenage striker Brooklyn Raines before half-time and several saves by goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell to preserve a shutout.{{cite news |last=Araiza |first=Victor |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Brooklyn Raines, Andrew Tarbell shine as Houston Dynamo overcome Tampa Bay Rowdies |url=https://www.thestriker.com/2023/04/27/houston-dynamo-fc-1-tampa-bay-rowdies-0-recap-us-open-cup |work=TheStriker.com |accessdate=September 1, 2023}}

Houston advanced to the round of 32 and hosted Sporting Kansas City, who they defeated 1–0 with a volleyed goal from outside the penalty area by Thorleifur Úlfarsson in the 11th minute; Chase Gasper was sent off with a red card in the 35th minute, but the team held on for a shutout.{{cite news |last=Sperry |first=Daniel |date=May 10, 2023 |title=Sporting Kansas City exit Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tourney with loss at Houston Dynamo |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/soccer/sporting-kc/article275226171.html |work=The Kansas City Star |accessdate=September 1, 2023}} The Dynamo hosted their round of 16 match against Minnesota United FC and continued their shutout streak in Open Cup play with a 4–0 victory. Corey Baird earned a hat-trick, including a penalty kick in the first half, and was joined by substitute Ibrahim Aliyu's goal in the second half for Houston.{{cite news |last=Montaño |first=Alvaro |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Corey's the story as Baird's hat trick puts Dynamo in U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/dynamo/article/houston-dynamo-u-s-open-cup-minnesota-fc-18115458.php |work=Houston Chronicle |accessdate=September 1, 2023}}

The Dynamo won 4–1 on the road to Chicago Fire FC in the quarterfinals with a penalty converted by Amine Bassi, two goals by Ibrahim Aliyu, and a finish by Nelson Quiñónes on a cross by Héctor Herrera in the 74th minute.{{cite news |date=June 6, 2023 |title=Houston Dynamo FC put out the fire in Chicago to advance to the U.S. Open Cup Semifinals |url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/news/houston-dynamo-fc-put-out-the-fire-in-chicago-to-advance-to-the-u-s-open-cup-sem |work=HoustonDynamoFC.com |accessdate=September 1, 2023}} The team returned home to Houston's Shell Energy Stadium for the semifinal match against Real Salt Lake. Herrera scored in the first half's stoppage time to give the Dynamo a lead that was erased by Anderson Julio's header; the match remained tied at 1–1 at the end of regulation time. During extra time, Houston retook the lead through a shot by Adalberto Carrasquilla in the 105th minute, which was followed by a brawl between players after Brayan Vera was sent off. Luis Caicedo scored the final goal of the night for the Dynamo in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give the team a 3–1 win.{{cite news |last=Montaño |first=Alvaro |date=August 24, 2023 |title=Dynamo earn date with Lionel Messi, Inter Miami in U.S. Open Cup final |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/dynamo/article/dynamo-us-open-cup-final-lionel-messi-miami-18328098.php |work=Houston Chronicle |accessdate=September 1, 2023}} With their appearance in the final, Houston also qualified for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, as Inter Miami CF had already qualified through their Leagues Cup title.{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Paul |date=August 24, 2023 |title=Open Cup: Houston Dynamo takes 'really good step' with semifinal win |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/97322/open-cup-houston-dynamo-takes-really-good-step.html |work=Soccer America |url-access=subscription |accessdate=September 1, 2023}}

The final was played at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the 21,000-seat home venue of Inter Miami CF. The team's owner, Jorge Mas, stated in an interview that hosting the match at the larger Hard Rock Stadium was a possibility.{{cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Michelle |date=August 25, 2023 |title=Inter Miami rallies, beats FC Cincinnati in penalty kicks, reaches U.S. Open Cup final |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article278506909.html |work=Miami Herald |accessdate=September 1, 2023}}{{cite news |last=Cattry |first=Pardeep |date=August 24, 2023 |title=Lionel Messi's Inter Miami set to play U.S. Open Cup final at DRV PNK Stadium, not Hard Rock Stadium |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/lionel-messis-inter-miami-set-to-play-u-s-open-cup-final-at-drv-pnk-stadium-not-hard-rock-stadium/ |work=CBS Sports |accessdate=September 1, 2023}} A draw conducted by the United States Soccer Federation on June 8 determined hosting priority for the semifinals and final, with priority for Real Salt Lake, followed by Inter Miami CF, and FC Cincinnati.{{cite press release |date=June 8, 2023 |title=FC Cincinnati and Houston Dynamo Drawn to Host 2023 U.S. Open Cup Semifinals |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2023/06/fc-cincinnati-and-houston-dynamo-drawn-to-host-2023-us-open-cup-semifinals |publisher=U.S. Soccer |accessdate=August 23, 2023}} Tickets for the match were listed on secondary markets for $150 to $4,000 on the day of the match.

In the United States, the final was broadcast on the CBS Sports Network and streaming service Paramount+ in English. The match was also be broadcast in Spanish on Telemundo and Universo as well as streaming platform Peacock; the Spanish broadcast included a 30-minute pregame show. The match's radio broadcast was available in Spanish on the Fútbol de Primera network.{{cite press release |date=September 8, 2023 |title=2023 U.S. Open Cup Final Between Inter Miami CF and Houston Dynamo Set For 8:30 p.m. ET Kickoff |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2023/09/epic-2023-us-open-cup-final-set-to-kick-off-at-830-pm-et-on-sept-27 |publisher=U.S. Soccer |accessdate=September 8, 2023}}{{cite press release |date=August 4, 2023 |title=U.S. Soccer Announces Global Broadcast Distribution For 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals And Final |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2023/08/us-soccer-announces-global-broadcast-distribution-for-final-rounds-of-2023-us-open-cup |publisher=U.S. Soccer |accessdate=August 23, 2023}} A total of 52 international broadcasters covered the match, primarily from Latin America.{{cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Michelle |date=September 27, 2023 |title=Lionel Messi sits out U.S. Open Cup final between Inter Miami, Houston Dynamo |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article279849354.html |work=Miami Herald |accessdate=September 27, 2023}}

For Inter Miami CF, star midfielder Lionel Messi and left back Jordi Alba were both injured and unavailable for the match.

Houston had the majority of possession in the first half and created several attacking chances that forced early saves out of Drake Callender. The away side took the lead in the 24th minute through a strike by Griffin Dorsey, which was followed by a penalty call in their favor in the 33rd minute for a foul by DeAndre Yedlin. Amine Bassi converted the penalty for the Dynamo in the 33rd minute to give the team a 2–0 lead at half-time. Miami made several adjustments at half-time, including the addition of Josef Martínez, but failed to convert most of their chances. Houston scored an apparent third goal in the 73rd minute that was overturned by the video assistant referee for an offside. Martínez scored a consolation goal in stoppage time as the Dynamo won 2–1 to clinch their second U.S. Open Cup title.{{cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Michelle |date=September 27, 2023 |title=Lionel Messi sits out as Inter Miami loses U.S. Open Cup final 2-1 to the Houston Dynamo |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article279805784.html |work=Miami Herald |accessdate=September 27, 2023}}

{{Football box

|date = September 27, 2023

|time = 8:30 p.m. EDT

|team1 = Inter Miami CF

|score = 1–2

|report = [https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/u-s-open-cup/2023/matches/miavshou-09-27-2023/ MLS]
[https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2023/09/2023-us-open-cup-final-inter-miami-vs-houston-dynamo-highlights-score-goals-recap USSF]

|team2 = Houston Dynamo FC

|goals1 =

• Martínez {{goal|90+2}}

|goals2 =

• Dorsey {{goal|24}}
• Bassi {{goal|33|pen.}}

|stadium = DRV PNK Stadium

|location = Fort Lauderdale, Florida

|attendance = 20,288

|referee = Jon Freemon

}}

|valign="top"|

|valign="top" width="50%"|

|}

{{reflist}}

{{US Open Cup}}

{{2023 in American men's soccer}}

{{Inter Miami CF matches}}

{{Houston Dynamo matches}}

Final

Category:U.S. Open Cup finals

Category:Inter Miami CF matches

Category:Houston Dynamo FC matches

Us Open Cup

U.S. Open Cup Final