2023 US Open Cup Semifinals: Who should be TheCup.us Player of the Round?

The 108th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup came down to a pair of games on Wednesday night, and both of them needed extra time to be decided.

Inter Miami CF traveled to FC Cincinnati and battled to a dramatic 3-3 draw in front of a packed crowd. Miami would prevail in the penalty kick shootout, 5-4. The next match a match that culminated in a penalty kick shootout. In the second game, the Houston Dynamo defended their home turf with a 3-1 extra time win over Real Salt Lake. It was just the third time in tournament history that both Semifinals went to extra time.

Since 2006, TheCup.us has set out to honor the best individual performance of each round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this, or the upcoming “Player of the Tournament” vote, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research it’s long history.

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Amine Bassi (Houston Dynamo)

Bassi played all 120 minutes and assisted on all three of Houston’s goals in a 3-1 home win vs. Real Salt Lake (MLS). He becomes just the 14th player in the Modern Era to have 3 assists in a game

Leonardo Campana (Inter Miami CF)

Played 90 minutes and scored the first two goals, including the game-tying goal in the final minute of second half stoppage time in Inter’s 3-3 road draw at FC Cincinnati (MLS). Miami won the PK shootout 5-4.

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF)

Played 120 minutes and assisted on the Miami’s first two goals, including the game-tying assist in the final minute of second half stoppage time in Inter’s 3-3 road draw at FC Cincinnati (MLS). He also scored his PK attempt in Miami’s 5-4 penalty kick win.

2023 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners

Round 1: Nicklas Rulle (Jacksonville Armada U-23s)
Round 2: AR Smith Jr. (Chicago House AC)
Round 3: Christian Volesky (Monterey Bay FC)
Round 4: Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United FC)
Round of 16: Corey Baird (Houston Dynamo)
Quarterfinals: Damir Kreilach (Real Salt Lake)