Lionel Messi’s U.S. Open Cup status for Miami game-time call

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi’s availability for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup ultimate will come right down to a game-time resolution, Inter Miami CF coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino stated Tuesday.

“We will decide tomorrow based on how he’s feeling,” stated Martino, whose workforce will face a red-hot Houston Dynamo FC aspect Wednesday, including that Jordi Alba is uncertain for the match.

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The former Barcelona teammates each began final Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Toronto FC, however then left late within the first half and did not journey with the workforce for Sunday’s 1-1 draw in opposition to Orlando City SC.

The leg harm to Messi, who additionally missed Miami’s loss in Atlanta 10 days in the past, has been described as an outdated scar tissue drawback, whereas Alba continues to cope with muscle soreness.

When requested Tuesday about how the selections concerning Messi’s availability are made, Martino stated it is a true workforce effort.

“In this case, we sit with him asking how he feels,” Martino stated. “Maybe other players, one makes a decision, but here we will make a decision we are in agreement over.

“Here, there are questions. The participant, the [U.S. Open Cup] ultimate, and what comes after. These three eventualities should be evaluated; it isn’t simply in regards to the subsequent recreation. Risk is all the time there, however we attempt to lower the margin of threat.”

That risk level, Martino admitted, is going to be assessed a little differently because of what is riding on Wednesday’s result.

“If it wasn’t a ultimate, we would not take any threat, however as a result of it’s a ultimate, there’s a likelihood we take that threat,” Martino added.

Martino also shrugged off any suggestion about the team being purposefully over-secretive regarding Messi’s injury situation.

“We are usually not attempting to be mysterious with Leo. I say this with data due to my time with Atlanta,” Martino said. “Weekly there are experiences of accidents and which gamers journey and do not journey. This is a particular scenario. And if Leo weren’t right here, we might not be discussing this.

“This is part of football. We are talking about the best player in football, and I have to give an answer that could affect the structure of the rival team. Why should I give that information if I can keep it to myself?

“We perceive the will [for the fans] to know, however we’re not attempting to be mysterious. We have an actual scenario.”

Things will not get any simpler for Martino and his Messi scenario, as, beginning with Saturday’s residence contest in opposition to New York City FC, Miami will face yet one more interval of extreme congestion, with three video games in eight days, because it continues to push for a spot within the MLS Cup playoffs.