'If I had a plan, I wouldn't give it to you' - Houston Dynamo boss Ben Olsen is looking to figure out how to stop Messi ahead of the U.S. Open Cup final

Posted Tuesday, September 26, 2023 by Goal.com

Houston Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen is not willing to divulge his tactical plan to stop Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi when the two sides meet.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Houston Dynamo and Inter Miami are set to lock horns in the U.S. Open Cup final on Wednesday, and Messi is undoubtedly the biggest threat for Tata Martino's side. The World Cup winner has scored 11 goals and registered five assists in 12 games during his time in the United States.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Dynamo play in the Western Conference, while Miami play in the Eastern Conference, meaning that the club have yet to come up against the 36-year-old. Olsen, though, insists he will not be revealing any of his tactical plans in regards to potentially nullifying the iconic attacker.

WHAT THEY SAID

Per ESPN, Olsen said: "If I had the right plan to stop him [Messi], I wouldn't give it to you. I don't want to get into that too much."

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The two sides will meet on Wednesday, with Inter Miami trying to get back to winning ways after a 1-1 draw with Orlando City. Dynamo, by comparison, lost 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City on the weekend.