Inter Miami Advances to US Open Cup Finals After Thrilling Penalty Kick Shootout Win Over FC Cincinnati

TQL Stadium- Inter Miami moved on to the US Open Cup Finals with a thrilling penalty kick shootout win over FC Cincinnati on the road. Leonardo Campana scored a brace and Josef Martinez netted a goal for Miami while Luciano Acosta, Brandon Vazquez, and Yuya Kubo scored a goal each for FC Cincinnati. Benjamin Cremaschi booted the game-winning penalty kick for the Herons right after Cincy’s Nick Hagglund had his shot blocked by Drake Callender.

Kick Off

Tata Martino chose to refresh the Starting XI against FC Cincinnati and implemented a formation shift from the 4-3-3- the team had been playing regularly. Martino slotted in Leonardo Campana, Jean Mota, Diego Gomez, and Tomas Aviles as starters in a 3-5-2 formation. Mota was playing in his first match since suffering a serious knee injury on April 29, versus the Columbus Crew. Tomas Aviles was making his first career start for Inter Miami.

The Herons refresh the lineup 🆚 FC Cincy …3-5-2 Avilés, Mota, Gómez, Campana 🔔 get their opportunities #USOC2023 #InterMiamiCF #MLS #Messi𓃵 https://t.co/pZbR3DzRwa

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 23, 2023

In the first 15′ minutes of match action, Inter Miami did not look as fluid as in previous matches of the Messi era. Luciano Acosta, the most active and dangerous man on the pitch in the first half put Cincinnati ahead with a fortunate goal. Acosta’s shot ricocheted off Kamal Miller’s leg and past Drake Callender for the score.

Lucho Acosta puts Cincy in the lead early…A fortunate rebound goes in for the 1-0 score..#InterMiamiCF📷 #USOC2023 #MLS https://t.co/kwDTdqruMa

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 23, 2023

Cincinnati went into the half with a 1-0 lead despite Miami seemingly having greater control over the action on the pitch. The Herons weren’t as smooth or crisp with their passes or on combination plays as in previous matches but still managed to control possession of the ball.

Cincy with the lead & not much else..#InterMiamiCF is not as fluid but that is understood with Mota coming back from injury, Campana not having much playing time, & Gomez, who hasn't been impressive either..Aviles is the only one looking decent…#USOC2023 #MLS https://t.co/zH3DxV7aCJ

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 24, 2023

Brandon Vazquez doubled FC’s lead in the 53′ minute with a well-placed right-footed banger. The Miami defense lost track of Vazquez who received Sebastian Arias’s cross unmarked and buried his shot into the Miami net for the 2-0 Cincy lead.

.@Brvndonv only scores bangers. pic.twitter.com/mEzvrL2OG2

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) August 24, 2023

The Comeback

Cincinnati was firing on all cylinders and seemed in total control of the match until Lionel Messi launched a perfect freekick cross for Leo Campana, who buried a header into the Cincy net at the 68′ minute.

Messi ▶️ Campana to put us on the board! #CINvMIA | 2-1 pic.twitter.com/We41VuhFYs

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 24, 2023

The Golazo infused new life into the Miami squad as they fought tooth and nail for the equalizer. The tying score would come once more from a Lio-to-Leo collaboration.  Lionel Messi dropped a dime and Leo Campana smashed the game-tying header in the seventh minute of stoppage time to send the game into extra time. Messi had once again led his team to an improbable comeback.

Otro más de Leo para Leo en el minuto 97! 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/5n5JMsjS1T

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 24, 2023

Just three minutes into extra time, Benjamin Cremaschi gave Josef Martinez a nifty pass into the Cincy box, which was blasted by Martinez for Inter Miami’s first lead of the match, 3-2. The Herons had miraculously turned the game around.

Benja to Martinez to put us in the lead in @opencup semi final! 👏👏👏👏 #CINvMIA | 2-3 pic.twitter.com/pN78p0ngFF

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 24, 2023

FC Cincinnati conjured up a miracle of their own when Yuya Kubo banged a curling shot past a diving Drake Callender in the 114′ minute of play. The match would end 3-3 after regulation and extra time were completed; the teams would head to penalty kicks to settle it.

Kubo levels it! pic.twitter.com/8soXsZt5PL

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) August 24, 2023

Nick Hagglund missed the fifth penalty kick for Cincinnati setting up the game-winner for Benjamin Cremaschi.

Drake Callender: American 🇺🇸 Hero @intermiamicf | @opencup pic.twitter.com/IqZ2i8ieW9

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) August 24, 2023

The 18-year-old Inter Miami midfielder buried the kick and sent the Herons to the US Open Cup Finals! Miami will have a chance to win the organization’s second trophy with a match at home versus Houston Dynamo on Sept 27.

🚀 NEXT STOP: @opencup FINAL 🚀 pic.twitter.com/D197g1rTRM

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 24, 2023

Postgame 

Benjamin Cremaschi was interviewed after the match by CBS Sports Golazo reporter Nico Cantor and he said some interesting things I think are worth noting. For one, Benjamin understands that he has to make the most of every opportunity he is given,

I know when I get out there I have to kill it

Cremaschi has been a welcomed revelation for Miami, despite his age he has been productive for the team and has held his own on the pitch. At this point, it has become obvious to everyone he is a special talent but Benja knows that in order to reach his goals and aspirations he must maintain a standard of high-quality performances. Those are the expectations for an elite player in the making.

I just know that I have to keep on working and work for more

Cremaschi’s work rate on the pitch is extraordinary, he flies all around contributing on attack and defensively with equal prowess. If he continues honing his craft off the pitch he will be playing on national teams and in the top leagues in the world sooner than later.

Final Thoughts 

The magical ride that Inter Miami fans are on right now is just that, supernatural. Lionel Messi, the demigod, has transformed a team, and a city, and is transforming the league.  There will always be before Messi and after Messi in the MLS. Lionel has given everyone involved the “Freedom to Dream” about great things. I hope the owners and the league continue to improve the possibilities for teams to bring in fantastic players to their respective teams.

Inter Miami is finding ways to win games that seem destined to be lost. Miami has come back from big deficits against really good teams on the road in front of full stadiums. This team does not quit, it does not give up, and it does not lose the collective belief that they have in each other.  This is an invaluable trait to have as part of the organization’s culture.

Lionel Messi is brilliant, everyone knows that, but what needs to be said is that there are other talented players on this squad that are doing their part for this team to be successful. Drake Callender has been the team MVP this season. Callender has maintained an exceptional level of play throughout. Sergeii Kryvtsov has been fantastic in the backline, the Ukrainian center-back quietly leads the defense with his outstanding play. These two have been pillars for Inter Miami CF even before the Messi era began and have maintained their superb level of play.

The Transformation

For the life of me, I can’t understand people out there questioning how Inter Miami was able to pull off the most amazing summer transfer window in MLS history. What upsets me are the allegations and insinuations of cheating because of past transgressions. If they actually cared to know the facts, they’d research how Chris Henderson has been setting up the team finances for this moment since his arrival. Comparing past administrators with Henderson is an injustice in that Henderson has a proven track record and an impeccable reputation.

Miami won the Leagues Cup and will play the Finals of the US Open Cup on Sept 27 versus Houston Dynamo. These two achievements are remarkable, but what would top all that is if Inter were to make the playoffs and win the MLS Cup.  That improbable journey would be the stuff of legends and Hollywood movie material. If any team can do it, it would be this team led by the “Pink Goat”.