Still No Clarity on Lionel Messi’s Status for Inter Miami’s Open Cup Final

Jordi Alba Is Another Issue For Inter Miami

Another of Inter Miami’s midseason acquisitions, Jordi Alba, is more doubtful for the match with Houston.

While Alba didn’t play internationally, he has been out roughly the same amount of game time as Messi — he was taken out three minutes before Messi in Inter Miami’s 4-0 win over Toronto.

The biggest thing here is the fact that the U.S. Open Cup final isn’t just one match in a week.

After Wednesday’s cup match, Inter Miami will host New York City FC on Saturday … giving the side three matches in eight days as it makes a push for a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs.

The Herons are just five points back of their Saturday opponents who hold the ninth and final playoff spot.

With the playoff hunt continuing, the question is which is more important, the Cup final or trying to secure a spot in the playoffs?

A second trophy amid a season where Inter Miami underperformed and put themselves in a pretty big hole in the first half is quite an accomplishment.

But, how big would the storyline be if the squad could go from last in the Eastern Conference to the playoffs in less than half a season?

At the end of the day, the health of the player should outweigh hardware, playoffs or fan demand.

If Messi and Alba are concerned with their health, sit and let the rest of the team show their worth.

This isn’t a time to risk it for the biscuit if there is a real question about Messi or Alba’s future.

Roll on, La Familia, roll on.