The Houston Dynamo will face Dominican Edison Azcona's Inter Miami in the U.S. Open Cup final on Wednesday, September 27.
The match, which will take place at the DRV PNK Stadium, is another challenge for Messi and company in their quest for more trophies for the trophy cabinet that already houses this season's Leagues Cup trophy.
On the other hand, the places for the semifinals of the Dominican Soccer League tournament are already defined.
Inter awaits Messi's recovery
Everything is in place in Miami to witness yet another heroic feat by David Beckham and Co. However, questions have been raised about Messi's injury in the build-up to the match.
It's all because the former Barça striker came off in the first half against Toronto FC and missed the Florida derby against Orlando City.
Coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has kept Messi's physical condition under wraps, so it remains to be seen whether the Argentine will be ready to take part in the match.
Questions have also been raised about Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who were also absent against Orlando City. Martino said the midfielder would have no complications playing on Wednesday.
With this last comment, the presence of Busquets, who suffered a migraine in the last game, is practically confirmed.
Miami's Possible Starting XI
Everything points to the fact that Messi is already suffering the consequences of a successful and busy career. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, at 36 years of age, can no longer handle the usual workload of a player in his prime.
Playing more than two games a week is, if not impossible, an extremely unlikely situation for the Argentine star.
Martino said Messi is struggling to stay clear of long-term injuries and declined to give a definitive answer on the likelihood of him playing.
According to the technician, it would be evaluated, above all, how the player feels. In view of these comments, everything would be confirmed, in the same way, with the medical team.
For his part, Jordi Alba, according to Martino, simply had a problem of tiredness and fatigue. In view of this, Alba's case will also be analyzed every day to see if he is fit to start in the U.S. Open Cup final.
It is difficult to pick a potential starting XI for Inter Miami given the breadth of talent at Martino's disposal.
It is expected that all three former Barça players will be fit to start and that the coach will opt for a more attack-oriented formation, playing with four in defense instead of five.
Miami inter would take the field with Callender as goalkeeper. The defense would have Yedlin, Miller, Kryvtsov and Alba. Busquets, Cremaschi and Arroyo would fill the midfield. Finally, the forward line would be completed with Messi or Campana, Martinez, and Taylor or Farias.
🗣️ - Sergio Busquets pic.twitter.com/CUlvas2jIv
- Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 26, 2023
DR Semifinalists Are Defined
The four tickets to the semifinals are already in place. Moca FC, C.A Pantoja, Cibao FC and Atlántico FC will compete for two places in the final of the 2023 season.
The fourth-ranked team had to wait until the last day of the Liguilla to secure a place in the semifinals. Atlántico FC, with a smart game, managed to win and eliminate La Vega Real, who were in fourth place before the match.
Atlántico will begin by playing at home against Cibao FC, while Pantoja will host Atlético Vega Real. The semifinals will be played in round-robin matches, beginning next weekend.
The first leg matches will take place on September 30 and October 1, while the second leg matches will be played on October 7 and 8.
