After sharing points with Orlando in an MLS fixture, Inter Miami is now gearing up for their US Open Cup match against Houston Dynamo. While both teams aspire to win the prestigious trophy, the opposition coach has indicated several challenges just hours before facing Lionel Messi and his teammates.

The path from the third round to the US Open Cup final has been far from easy for both teams. Without a doubt, they are now preparing for a final effort to secure their place in the history books.

Houston Dynamo’s boss reveals intricacies before facing Inter Miami

The US Open Cup final presents equal challenges for both teams. Inter Miami can anticipate a tough opponent, while Houston faces an even greater challenge in the form of Lionel Messi. No one is a stranger to the Argentinian superstar’s soccer prowess and he could prove to be a significant obstacle for the away side in their quest for the trophy.

Interestingly, hours before the clash, Houston Dynamo’s coach Ben Olsen was asked about his plans to stop Lionel Messi. He responded, “Let me ask the 5,000 coaches that have tried before to stop him that have not been able to, guys with better credentials than me”. Olsen’s acknowledgment of the difficulty in dealing with Messi is evident, and he appears to be seeking advice from those who faced the veteran.

Indeed, it is a huge claim from the American coach. Olsen’s worries about facing Lionel Messi are quite evident. However, there’s a twist in the narrative as Olsen may not face La Pulga. The skipper’s availability is in doubt for the clash after picking up an injury while facing Toronto. Additionally, the Inter Miami boss recently provided an update on the World Cup winner’s availability.

READ MORE: When, Where and How to Watch Lionel Messi & Inter Miami in US Open Cup Final vs Houston Dynamo?

A fresh update on Lionel Messi

In the last match against Orlando, the ex-Barca trio of Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets was absent. Prior to that, Messi and Alba had also been forced to leave the pitch during the Toronto clash. While the availability of either star remains uncertain, Miami boss Tata Martino provided an update about Messi. He said, “Let’s go day by day, I’ll talk to him and see what he says.”

With the Argentinean showing a strong desire to lead from the front, there’s a high chance he could participate in the upcoming match. Ideally, all three players would ideally be on the field for the final, aiming to secure another trophy for Inter Miami. In their absence, the team seems to struggle to generate goal-scoring opportunities. Let’s see if the trio returns to action or not.

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