Messi out of US Open Cup final, Inter Miami vs Houston Dynamo 1-2 

Lionel Messi could not play and Houston Dynamo took full advantage of winning the trophy on their home ground.

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Griffin Dorsey and Amin Bassey scored in the first half and Houston – NBA star James Harden, who was part of the team's ownership group, scored in the first half.

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It won the US Open Cup by beating Messi-less Inter Miami 2-1 on Wednesday night.

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Joseph Martínez scored for Inter Miami in second-half stoppage time.

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Messi was not on Inter Miami's active roster for the match due to a foot problem.

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It was Messi's fourth absence in his last five matches for club and country combined.

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Inter Miami will resume their bid for a spot in the Major League Soccer playoffs this weekend.

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The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was forced off in the first half of the match against Toronto on September 20 due to a foot problem.

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