Lionel Messi & Inter Miami begin hunt for new title
Argentine forward Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates have shifted their attention to the chance of claiming another silverware just days after winning the League Cup.
The talismanic No. 10 is expected to lead the Herons out later today when they take on FC Cincinnati away from home at the TQL Stadium in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal.
Messi, who won his 44th career trophy alongside the Golden Boot and League Cup best player award, led Inter Miami to its first title following a 10-9 win on penalties against Nashville SC last Saturday.
The 36-year-old gave his side the lead halfway through the first half of the final with his 10th goal in seven games since moving to the Major League Soccer (MLS). Nashville’s Fafa Picaut drew his side level in the 57th minute.
The game went into penalties after extra time and Messi converted his but Nashville’s shotstopper Elliot Pannico failed to score his in the 11th round of kicks as he was denied by Inter Miami’s Drake Callender, who had earlier converted his.
Messi and his Inter Miami teammates will be hoping to win just the club’s second title in its three-years of professional existence. The winner of their semifinal tie against Cincinnati will take on either the Houston Dynamo or Real Salt Lake in the final of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, September 27.
