US Open Cup 2023 Final: Inter Miami vs Houston Dynamo: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The US Open Cup 2018 champions stand in the way of Inter Miami's second trophy

Inter Miami were able to get to the finals after a penalty shootout against MLS Eastern Conference league leaders FC Cincinnati. It was a semi-final showdown that had a 3-3 ending in normal time. Lionel Messi and his pals Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets have been very important for the team's recent success. Messi and Co helped the DRV PNK Stadium natives to get around Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup finals. It was the first trophy for the side that has been in existence since March 2020 and now they are looking for their second.

Houston Dynamo from the MLS Western Conference had a relatively easy walk in the semi-final stages. A 3-1 extra-time win against Real Salt Lake now gives them a shot to lift a trophy after five years. The 2018 Open Cup champions Houston Dynamo know they are just a win away from ending their trophy drought. Dynamo last won a trophy in 2018 after they overcame Philadelphia Union in the 2018 US Open Cup finals.

Kick-Off:

Thursday, 28 September at 1:30 AM UK (6:00 AM IST)

Location: DRV PNK Stadium

Form

Inter Miami (in all competitions): D-W-L-W-W

Houston Dynamo (in all competitions): L-W-D-D-W

Players to watch in Inter Miami vs Houston Dynamo

Leonardo Campana (Inter Miami)

The Trio of Messi, Alba and Busquets didn't play the draw against Orlando City. Apart from Busquets other two remain in doubt. Leonardo Campana will be motivated to help his side come out on top as Inter Miami are chasing their second trophy to date. The Ecuadorian forward has scored two goals in three 2023 US Open Cup appearances. He also has nine goals on board in MLS this term.

Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo)

The 33-year-old central midfielder captains the Dynamo side. Héctor Herrera was assigned the designated player position after agreeing to a pre-contract back in March 2022. The Mexican International has starred for big clubs like FC Porto and Atlético Madrid. This season Herrera has scored four goals and provided 10 assists in MLS while a goal and an assist contribution in the US Open Cup 2023 have helped his side to reach the finals.

Match facts

• Inter Miami and Houston Dynamo have played just three games against each other in history, with Dynamo having two wins to Miami's one win
• Both Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba remain doubtful for the final
• In their last meeting on 23 April 2023, Houston Dynamo won the game 1-0. Also, the Dynamo side has experience winning the 2018 US Open Cup finals

Injury & team news

The Herons are on the verge of lifting a brace of trophies this year, having already won the Leagues Cup title. But with Lionel Messi still a doubt for the game, things could get hard. Even Jordi Alba who was absent against Orlando is still recovering from muscular fatigue. Lastly, the 1-1 draw saw Benjamin Cremaschi benched late with seemingly an injury concern. Busquets could make a return after being rested last game. On the rest of the Inter Miami injury list, we have Corentin Jean, Franco Negri, Gregore and Ian Fray.

The Orange Crush might have to go into the game without Ifunanyachi Achara and Tate Schmitt. Both Achara and Schmitt are out with knee issues. And amidst this, attacking midfielder Amine Bassi's inclusion is still doubtful. Manager Ben Olsen knows this game is a good shot at ending a five-year trophy drought for the Dynamo outfit who had hired him just in November 2022.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 3

Inter Miami wins – 1

Houston Dynamo wins – 2

Draws – 0

Predicted Lineup

Inter Miami predicted lineup (5-3-2):

Callender (GK); Yedlin, Allen, Kryvtsov, Aviles, Sailor; Ruiz, Busquets, Farias; Martinez, Campana

Houston Dynamo predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Clark (GK); Escobar, Bartlow, Hadebe, Smith; Caicedo, Herrera; Iturre, Carasquilla, Kowalczyk; Ibrahim

Match Prediction for Inter Miami vs Houston Dynamo

The Herons are coming on the back of a Florida Derby day draw against second-placed Orlando City from the Eastern Conference. They were without the trio of Messi, Alba and Busquets. On the other hand, the Dynamo side lost 2-1 in their MLS fixture against a 10-man Sporting KC. The Sporting side played 60 minutes of the game with only 10 men after they lost Johnny Russell in the 39th minute to a red card.

Whether any of the trio features or not for Inter Miami, they still have highly motivated players to do the damage and win the second trophy for the year. The Herons will have the upper hand at their own backyard, DRV PNK Stadium.

Prediction: Inter Miami 2-0 Houston Dynamo

Telecast

India- SonyLiv

UK- CBS Sports Golazo Network

US- CBS Sports Golazo Network, Paramount+, Pluto TV

Nigeria- No Telecast