Lionel Messi was missing from the pitch Wednesday night at DRV PNK stadium in Inter Miami's loss in the U.S. Open Cup to Houston. The soccer superstar watched from the sidelines, after he was not named in the squad line-up due to an injury picked up while on Argentina duty.
The Herons lost to Houston 2-1.
As for Messi, he has has been in and out of Miami's lineup since returning from international duty for team Argentina with a leg injury related to an old scar tissue problem.
Miami are now five points behind New York City FC, which they face Saturday in MLS, in the standings for the final playoff spot with five games to play and two games in hand.