Inter Miami rings in the Lionel Messi era by booking first trip to US Open Cup semifinals

Hours after Lionel Messi confirmed his plans to join Inter Miami this summer, the MLS side kept the momentum going with a 1-0 road win at the Birmingham Legion in the US Open Cup quarterfinals.

The result put Miami into the last four of the competition for the first time, with FC Cincinnati up next in the semifinals.

Miami found the decisive goal vs. USL Championship club Birmingham in the 56th minute as Nicolas Stefanelli bounced in a volley from close range.

Stefanelli was assisted by Corentin Jean from the right wing.

‘This win is very important, not just for us as a team, but for the whole organization,’ We made history today – it’s the first time that the team makes semifinals,’ said interim head coach Javier Morales, who took over for the ousted Phil Neville last week.

Nicolas Stefanelli notched the winning goal for Inter Miami in the US Open Cup win

Messi (left) is expected to join the MLS side which is owned by David Beckham (center), who also made a blockbuster move to MLS in 2007 with the LA Galaxy

‘We’re very happy and proud of the players and everyone around the team because this is not just about one player or the coach, this is about everyone. Inter Miami made history today making it to the semifinals.’

Miami played its first season in 2020, but has only competed in the Open Cup twice due to COVID cancellations. 

And while Miami has had success in the Open Cup this season, the team that Messi looks set to join has struggled mightily in MLS play.

Through 16 games, the club is bottom (15th out of 15) of the Eastern Conference with just 15 points.

Bizarrely, Miami has won more games (five) than three teams ahead of it, and is just one behind in the win column from sixth-placed Atlanta United.

But the club has a staggering 11 losses and zero draws, with less than a goal per game thus far in the league.

Messi will surely help in that latter category if he comes, and aside from telling Mundo Deportivo that he was headed Stateside, Barcelona acknowledged in a backhanded statement that he would not be re-joining the club.

MLS offered a brief statement on Messi as well. 

‘We are pleased that Lionel Messi has stated that he intends to join Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer this summer,’ the league said.

Javier Morales was named interim coach of Inter Miami after Phil Neville was fired last week

Messi will look to add goals and creativity to an attack that has not performed well this season

Despite their cup run, Miami are struggling in the league with 11 losses from 16 games

‘Although work remains to finalize a formal agreement, we look forward to welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our League.’

Elsewhere in the Open Cup on Wednesday, Real Salt Lake beat the LA Galaxy 3-2 at home to move on.

Jefferson Savarino gave the hosts a 3-0 lead in the 51st minute before LA pulled two goals back, but they were unable to complete the comeback. 

Salt Lake will play the Houston Dynamo in the next round.

There were also two midweek MLS fixtures played on Wednesday, as LAFC and Atlanta United tied 0-0 and FC Dallas beat St. Louis City SC 2-0.