Inter Miami overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Cincinnati on penalties after their dramatic US Open Cup semifinal ended 3-3 after extra time in Ohio, thanks in large part to Lionel Messi’s inspiration.
Miami is currently one victory away from winning their second championship since Messi joined the team last month after defeating Nashville on penalties to win the Leagues Cup on Saturday.
The US Open Cup, which has been played since 1914 and is comparable to the FA Cup in England and the Copa del Rey in Spain, is the oldest and most significant knockout tournament in American football.
Houston Dynamo will play Miami in the championship match on September 27 after the Texans defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1 in overtime.
Cincinnati, which leads the Major League Soccer standings while Miami is last, would have been clear favourites a month ago. However, the Florida team is no longer the same one that was winless in 11 league games prior to the arrival of the Argentine.
