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Three Up, Three Down: Inter Miami flops without Messi, loses Open Cup final 2-1 against the Houston Dynamo.

Playing in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship without Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, the Herons turned in a lackluster first half, playing as poorly as we’ve seen. Still, we’re committed to choose three Inter Miami players who most impacted the match, and three who didn’t. Here we go!

By Ken Garner, Matthew Clark

Inter Miami CF forward Leonardo Campana battles for a header against Houston Dynamo midfielder Griffin Dorsey.
Inter Miami CF forward Leonardo Campana battles for a header against Houston Dynamo midfielder Griffin Dorsey. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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Three Down

The starting eleven of Inter Miami CF pose for a photo before the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final.
The starting eleven of Inter Miami CF pose for a photo before the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Diego Gomez and Robert Taylor, D-

[KEN] So, when I’m trying to pick my “downs,” unless someone’s just been horrid, I go through the lineup in my mind and try to remember key plays or how much I heard the names called. That’s my issue with Gomez and, more disappointingly, Taylor; they just never seemed to be involved. They weren’t alone, though — it crossed my mind to pick the whole starting 11 as my “downs” and call it a day. For a finals match the Herons supposedly had made a priority, they came out flat, listless, dull, spraying poor passes around the field and generally looking bewildered.

[MATT] Not to be "that" guy, but I would have picked the entire team here. But, since Ken is way nicer than I am, I'll go along. Neither of these players did anything for the squad against Houston. There was no drive or determination here and everyone... including Houston... knew it. They played like the match didn't matter, and that is just not acceptable.

Benjamin Cremaschi, C-

[KEN] Benja was as active as ever, gangly arms and legs flying everywhere, but it occurred to me he was spending a tremendous amount of energy without much to show for it. I love the kid, but maybe he needs to learn from Messi when and where to turn on the afterburners.

[MATT] Tons of potential, but when he's off... he's off. It's kind of like the Major League Baseball pitcher with the million-dollar arm and ten-cent control. He has great movement, but I don't think he quite understands when to use it and when not to use it.