Amine Bassi scored a penalty as Houston Dynamo defeated an Inter Miami side without talisman Lionel Messi 2-1 in the final of the US Open Cup at the DRV PNK Stadium on Wednesday night.
Inter Miami have enjoyed a new lease of life since the Argentine maestro joined on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, with 16 goals involvements (11 goals, five assists) in 12 competitive games to his name and the Leagues Cup title. Messi also helped them reach the US Open Cup final by defeating FC Cincinnati 4-3 in the semi-finals.
He was however unavailable for the final on home soil as he was nursing a muscle injury and his absence was evident as Houston took the lead in the 24th minute with Griffin Dorsey’s fierce strike.
The lead was doubled nine minutes later thanks to Bassi converting from the penalty spot after former Newcastle United full-back DeAndre Yedlin brought down Nelson Quinones in the box. It was the Morocco international’s 12th competitive goal of the season in his 33rd appearance since joining from Metz in January.
Messi? Nah, we got Bassi pic.twitter.com/TKC56vJeZe
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) September 28, 2023
Inter Miami pulled one back via Josef Martinez with a composed finish towards the end of the game in added time but the Dynamo held on for their second US Open Cup title having won the first in 2018 when they defeated Philadelphia Union 3-0 in Houston.
