U.S. Open Cup Semifinals: Messi and Inter Miami Aim for Another Trophy While Real Salt Lake Looks to Regain Form

The U.S. Open Cup semifinals continued on the morning of August 24, Beijing time, bringing fresh excitement to the tournament. Given that the quarterfinals were played over two months ago, the progression of teams in this competition holds little relevance now. Inter Miami, fresh off their Leagues Cup victory, is aiming for their second trophy of the season. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake, who was eliminated from the Leagues Cup in a crushing defeat, has not played a competitive match for two weeks. Whether they have managed to shake off the disappointment remains to be seen.

FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami: Messi Eyes a Second Trophy

Inter Miami sits at the bottom of the MLS standings, and their chances of climbing into the playoff spots and contending for the league title seem slim without a dramatic turnaround. With this in mind, the Major League Soccer (MLS) executives clearly have an incentive to generate excitement through the cup competitions. Just last weekend, Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, clinched the Leagues Cup in dramatic fashion, holding Nashville SC to a 1-1 draw in regulation and ultimately winning 10-9 on penalties.

Messi struck early in the final, scoring in the 20th minute with a trademark left-footed strike from outside the box that curled into the top corner. However, despite Messi's brilliance, Inter Miami struggled to assert dominance over Nashville. The Tennessee-based side took control of the game's tempo and equalized in the 57th minute. As the match wore on, Messi's impact waned due to fatigue. Nevertheless, Inter Miami had a golden opportunity to score a last-minute winner during stoppage time when substitute forward Leonardo Campana rounded the Nashville goalkeeper, only to see his narrow-angled shot hit the post.

Cincinnati, on the other hand, was knocked out of the Leagues Cup in early August and had a 15-day break before returning to MLS action last week. To their surprise, the league leaders suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Columbus Crew, marking their second-worst loss of the season. Previously, they had lost 5-1 to Western Conference leaders St. Louis City SC.

Despite the contrasting positions of the two teams at opposite ends of the Eastern Conference table, Miami has often performed well against Cincinnati, even before Messi's arrival. Historically, Inter Miami has had an edge over Cincinnati, and with Messi now in their ranks, their chances of winning this semifinal are significantly boosted. A 2-1 victory in favor of Inter Miami seems plausible.

Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake: Two Teams at Opposite Extremes

Both Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake were knocked out of the Leagues Cup in the second round of the knockout stages. However, their post-Leagues Cup trajectories have differed significantly. Houston has already played an MLS match since their Leagues Cup exit, while Real Salt Lake has been inactive since their elimination on August 9.

Houston Dynamo currently occupies the sixth spot in the MLS Western Conference standings, making a playoff appearance highly probable. Real Salt Lake sits even higher, at third place, with a genuine chance of contending for the Western Conference regular-season title. The Dynamo crushed the Portland Timbers 5-0 in an MLS match on Monday morning, Beijing time. They raced to a 3-0 lead within the first 20 minutes, leaving the Timbers demoralized and eventually adding two more goals to seal a comprehensive victory. This was the Dynamo's most commanding win of the season, and it suggests they were unfazed by their earlier exit from the Leagues Cup.

Real Salt Lake, however, suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC in the Leagues Cup second round. LAFC fielded veteran Giorgio Chiellini, whose experience proved invaluable in thwarting Salt Lake's attacks. The Utah-based team eventually collapsed, conceding three goals in a ten-minute span from the 52nd to the 62nd minute. With a three-goal lead, LAFC substituted Chiellini, but by then, the damage was done, and Salt Lake had no way back.

The two teams have drawn 0-0 in their last three meetings at Houston’s home ground, and even if they manage to break the deadlock this time, a decisive outcome seems unlikely. A 1-1 draw appears to be on the cards, with Real Salt Lake potentially advancing via extra time.

Messi's Miami vs. Cincinnati: A Battle of Contrasts

For Inter Miami, the U.S. Open Cup presents a unique opportunity to add another trophy to their cabinet in a season where they have struggled domestically. The arrival of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba has transformed Miami’s fortunes in the short term, but it is the Leagues Cup victory that has truly captured the imagination of soccer fans worldwide.

The semifinal clash with Cincinnati offers Messi another platform to display his magic. Cincinnati may top the Eastern Conference, but their recent heavy defeats suggest vulnerabilities that a resurgent Miami could exploit. With Messi leading the charge, backed by an experienced supporting cast, Inter Miami’s confidence is soaring. Messi's motivation to add another title to his name is palpable, and he will be eager to guide his team to another final.

Real Salt Lake's Resilience

For Real Salt Lake, the challenge is to recover from a demoralizing Leagues Cup exit and reignite their competitive spark. The two-week break might have allowed them to regroup and refocus, but questions remain over their readiness to face a Houston side brimming with confidence after a resounding victory. Salt Lake's players and coaching staff will need to tap into their mental toughness and tactical acumen to overcome Houston’s home advantage.

Historically, matches between these two sides have been tightly contested affairs, often ending in stalemates. Salt Lake will need to break this pattern to secure their place in the U.S. Open Cup final. Much will depend on their ability to contain Houston's dynamic attack and seize their own opportunities when they come.

As the U.S. Open Cup semifinals unfold, all eyes will be on Messi and Inter Miami, who are chasing their second trophy in a matter of weeks. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake must prove they have moved past their recent disappointments to challenge for silverware. Both matches promise drama and intrigue, and by the end of the day, we will have a clearer picture of which teams have the mettle to reach the final and vie for the prestigious U.S. Open Cup.