After lifting the Leagues Cup, Lionel Messi and Co. will have the chance to pick up another trophy in Florida next month. We take a look at the team that will be trying to stop them.
Diego Mayel Ibarradiegoibarra21Andy HallEstados UnidosUpdate: Aug 24th, 2023 10:26 EDT
Jorge Martinez
While Lionel Messi and Inter Miami struggled to scrape through their US Open Cup 2023 semifinal against FC Cincinnati, the Houston Dynamo had fewer problems eliminating Real Salt Lake in the other semi-final at Shell Energy Stadium, although the match was settled in extra-time. The Texans will face Las Garzas in the final on Wednesday 27 September.
HH doin' his thing ?pic.twitter.com/AdjUqCpt2v
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) August 24, 2023
Héctor Herrera had given Houston a first-half lead with a strike late into stoppage-time. The Mexican was free to steer the ball home after a mix-up in the visitors’ defence.
Real Salt Lake were back level just after the hour when Anderson Julio rose above the Houston defence to head past Andrew Tarbell to make it 1-1. And that was how it ended on full-time, forcing the game to go to extra-time.
It was all orange
Midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla fired Ben Olsen’s team back in front with a low drive from the edge of the area on 105 minutes. It was a blow from which Real Salt Lake couldn’t recover.
Cool as you like from Coco ?#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/EzxEaHjBeH
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) August 24, 2023
With the dying seconds ticking down, Luis Alberto Caicedo put the result beyond doubt, combining with Amine Bassi to stretch Real Salt Lake’s defence. The Colombian had the simple task of slotting into an empty net to make it 3-1 and secure Houston’s place in next month’s final.
