2023 U.S. Open Cup Final: Houston Dynamo FC Clinch Second Title
On September 27, 2023, the soccer world turned its attention to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the 108th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This prestigious tournament, the oldest ongoing soccer competition in the United States, is open to both amateur and professional teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The final saw a clash between two Major League Soccer (MLS) giants: the home side, Inter Miami CF, and the visiting Houston Dynamo FC.
In a hard-fought contest, the Houston Dynamo secured a 2–1 victory, claiming their second U.S. Open Cup title and leaving the hosts disappointed in front of their home crowd.
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Key Facts
- Winner: Houston Dynamo FC (2–1)
- Date: September 27, 2023
- Venue: DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Attendance: 20,288
- Man of the Match: Griffin Dorsey (Houston Dynamo)
- Significance: Houston Dynamo's second U.S. Open Cup title.
The Road to the Final
The 2023 tournament featured 99 participants, including teams from the USL Championship (USLC), USL League One (USL1), and the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). MLS teams entered the competition in the third and fourth rounds, with pairings determined by geographic location to minimize travel.
Inter Miami CF's Journey
Inter Miami CF's path to the final was marked by dramatic shifts. After a penalty shootout win against Miami FC and a 1–0 victory over the Charleston Battery, they overcame Nashville SC 2–1 in a match interrupted by lightning. A quarterfinal win against Birmingham Legion FC set the stage for a squad overhaul, which saw the arrival of manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino and global stars Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets.
In a thrilling semifinal against FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami fought back from a 2–0 deficit. Thanks to two assists from Messi and a goal by Josef Martínez, the match ended 3–3, with Miami eventually advancing via a penalty shootout.
Houston Dynamo FC's Path
Under head coach Ben Olsen, the Houston Dynamo entered the tournament with a rebuilt squad. Their campaign began with a 1–0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies, followed by a victory against Sporting Kansas City. They dominated their round of 16 match against Minnesota United FC with a 4–0 win, featuring a hat-trick by Corey Baird.
After defeating Chicago Fire FC 4–1 in the quarterfinals, Houston faced Real Salt Lake in the semifinals. The match went to extra time, where goals from Adalberto Carrasquilla and Luis Caicedo secured a 3–1 victory, earning Houston a spot in the final and qualification for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Match Analysis: Houston Dynamo vs. Inter Miami CF
The final took place at the 21,000-seat DRV PNK Stadium. Inter Miami entered the match without the services of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, both of whom were sidelined due to injury.
First Half Dominance
Houston controlled the early tempo, maintaining the majority of possession and creating several dangerous opportunities. The deadlock was broken in the 24th minute when Griffin Dorsey scored to give the Dynamo a 1–0 lead. The lead was doubled in the 33rd minute after a foul by DeAndre Yedlin resulted in a penalty, which Amine Bassi successfully converted.
Second Half and Conclusion
Inter Miami attempted to rally in the second half, introducing Josef Martínez to spark the offense. While Houston nearly extended their lead in the 73rd minute, the goal was overturned by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR)—a system used to review decisions via video footage—for offside. In the final moments of stoppage time, Martínez scored a consolation goal, but it was not enough to stop Houston from clinching the 2–1 win.
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Tournament Summary
The following table summarizes the key details of the 2023 final match.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Inter Miami CF 1 – 2 Houston Dynamo FC |
| Houston Scorers | Griffin Dorsey (24'), Amine Bassi (33' pen) |
| Miami Scorer | Josef Martínez (90+2') |
| Referee | Jon Freemon |
| Broadcasters | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, Telemundo, Universo, Peacock |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2023 U.S. Open Cup?
Houston Dynamo FC won the 2023 U.S. Open Cup by defeating Inter Miami CF with a score of 2–1.
Why did Lionel Messi miss the final?
Lionel Messi was unavailable for the match due to an injury.
Where was the final match played?
The match was held at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
What is the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup?
It is the oldest ongoing soccer tournament in the United States, open to all professional and amateur adult teams affiliated with the U.S. Soccer Federation.
How many titles has Houston Dynamo won in this competition?
With their 2023 victory, the Houston Dynamo have won a total of two U.S. Open Cup titles, having previously won in 2018.