Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Lionel Messi

2023 US Open Cup Semifinals: Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

by


Stop reading this if you have heard this before: Lionel Messi wins an award.

Among all of his accomplishments, Messi can add the TheCup.us’ Player of the Round for the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals to his resume.

Messi won the award over the Houston Dynamo’s Amine Bassi (who had a record-tying 3 assists vs. RSL), and his Inter Miami teammate Leonardo Campana. Campana scored twice, including a late equalizer in second half stoppage time. Both goals were assisted by Messi.

The Player of the Round award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers of TheCup.us on Patreon (donors that pledge $10 or more).

How did Messi fare in Inter Miami’s the Semifinal? He completed 85% of his passes, had five successful dribbles, completed all his long passes, and chipped in twice defensively winning both of his tackles. But the headlines of the night were his two assists. The first was a 68th minute equalizer to Campana, and then his wonder pass to assist Campana’s second goal seven minutes into stoppage time to get Miami into extra time where they would eventually win on penalties. Of course, Messi converted on his team’s first penalty kick in the shootout.

Messi’s performance may have left something to be desired, but the #MagicCityMagician knows how to place his stamp on the game at the right moments. There is no doubt that Inter Miami’s recent signings have shouldered the load since their arrival, none has done more that Argentine superstar. Messi was about thirty yards from frame when he saw an opportunity that no one else in the stadium could have fathomed. His chipped cross landed right in the path of Campana who made no mistake with his header in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

Since Messi’s arrival and first match against Cruz Azul (Liga MX) on July 21, Miami is undefeated in all contests. Their only dropped points came as a result of scoreless draw at home against a tough Nashville side they already bested in the Leagues Cup. To say that Messi has changed Miami supporters belief in what can be completed this season, is an understatement. At the time of writing, Miami is six points behind the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with two games in hand. While running the table may not be necessary for entry, every club in the Eastern Conference will be dreading a matchup with Miami when the MLS Playoffs arrive.

The Messi factor has also spilled its way into the greater South Florida area. Local stores and online retailers have found it nearly impossible to keep up with the demand for Miami kits. The MLS Messi nameplate is nearly impossible to find. On a national level, CBS Sports’ has reported that their coverage of the Semifinal match was the sixth-most streamed match ever on their platform. It’s worth noting that CBS Sports (Paramount+), is the current rights holder for Serie A and the UEFA Champions League. Add to those figures Telemundo’s Spanish coverage, and with the game broadcast in more than 100 countries worldwide, it is without a doubt the most viewed US Open Cup match of all-time.

The 2023 US Open Cup run is still not over. Miami will host Houston on Sept. 27 at DRV PNK Stadium. Can Messi secure the United States’ oldest soccer trophy? Will the cup final be the most streamed fixture in the US? Only time will tell, but Miami will be a force to be reckoned with and should be the odds-on favorite to lift the Lamar Hunt Trophy.

2023 US Open Cup Semifinals: Messi leads comeback, Inter Miami wins PK shootout with FC Cincinnati

by

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF lines up a free kick against FC Cincinnati in the 2023 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Daniel Roesch

Inter Miami spotted FC Cincinnati a two-goal lead before doing the improbable against Major League Soccer’s best team. The Herons scored three unanswered goals, then gave up an equalizer in extra time before earning a berth in the 2023 US Open Cup Final on penalty kicks.

Leonardo Campana netted a brace accounting for Lionel Messi’s two assists in his US Open Cup debut. Just days away from having won the Leagues Cup, Inter Miami’s 3-3 draw, and shootout win opens the door for Messi to lift a trophy in yet another championship match.

It was a game in which Inter Miami was completely outplayed and yet Messi refused to allow his team to lose. And he did it in front of a sold-out crowd of 25,213 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. It was the ninth-largest crowd to witness a US Open Cup game in the 107-year history of the tournament.

Trailing 2-0, Messi on a set piece just outside the box to the left of FCC keeper Alec Kann delivered a perfect ball to the head of Campana in the 68th minute. With just seconds remaining second half stoppage time, Messi again delivered a ball to Campana who once again finished to tie the match.

Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino succinctly described Messi’s performance. “Today we needed him to be a conductor and not a finisher.”

Despite leading the possession battle 62%-38%, Inter Miami trailed at the half. Luciano Acosta in the 18th minute of play banged a ball off the post for the only marker of the night. It came after some sloppy backline play that led to a turnover in the defensive third. It was the Cincinnati captain’s first Open Cup goal, and the second of his career. His first came in 2018 as a member of D.C. United in a match that ended 1-1 with Orlando City SC. United would fall in penalty kicks that night.

Miami picked up the pace in the second half but it was Cincinnati that found the back of the net. On a quick counter in the 52nd minute, Brandon Vazquez found himself alone at the top of the 18 with a ball from Santiago Arias. A right footed laser inside the far post doubled the FCC lead.

Cincinnati had its moments to put the game away but was unable to do. In the 73rd minute, an open look by Yuya Kubo forced the Miami keeper Drake Callender into another tough save. Callender was also called upon in stoppage time to stop Santiago Arias’ close range shot following sloppy backline play once again by Miami.

Inter Miami took its first lead of the night on a Josef Martinez goal in the third minute of the first extra time. FCC equalized in the second extra time period as Kubo did not miss on his next opportunity against Callender in the 114th minute.

Tied after 120 minutes of play, the game went to penalty kicks where Messi and company prevailed 5-4 to advance to the US Open Cup Final on September 27. Messi converted Miami’s first of five successful attempts. FC Cincinnati’s Nick Hagglund had his PK saved by Callender in the fifth round, which allowed another Argentine to be the hero. 18-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi, a Miami native, scored the winning penalty to send Inter Miami to the championship game.

With the shootout win, Inter Miami becomes just the second Miami club, and the fourth Florida-based club, to reach the Open Cup Final in the history of the tournament.

Copyright © 2026 • Built by Jacob Martella Web Development