Inter Miami won their first piece of silverware in 2023 via the Leagues Cup with Lionel Messi, with the Herons also making it to the US Open Cup.
A heroic run to the final inspired by the signing of Messi ultimately ended in disappointment, though, as the Houston Dynamo bested Inter Miami 2-1 as the Argentina international could only watch from the sideline having picked up an injury beforehand.
With MLS controversially changing US Open Cup participation rules in 2024 to combat fixture congestion, Inter Miami were one of the many top-flight teams to not take part in the oldest soccer tournament in the United States.
And heading into the 2025 season, Inter Miami have made their decision known of if they will compete in the US Open Cup this year having missed out in the final in 2023 and not taking part at all last year.
READ MORE: Inter Miami’s four FIFA Club World Cup opponents revealed
Inter Miami to once again skip US Open Cup participation
According to journalist Jose Armando, Inter Miami will not take part in the US Open Cup this season, with 16 MLS sides set to compete in the historic soccer tournament after only eight teams took part in last year’s competition.
Armando wrote: “The US Open Cup will have 16 MLS teams in its 2025 edition. Inter Miami would not be one of those teams. MLS teams will enter the competition in the round of 32 to be played between May 6th and 7th.”
Given the size of Inter Miami and the appeal of having players like Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets taking part in any competition, the Florida franchise passing up on the US Open Cup for a second year in a row will be a blow for neutral soccer fans in the United States.
However, with how many competitions Inter Miami are already taking part in this season, Javier Mascherano is making a smart decision in pulling the Herons out of the US Open Cup, even if the choice might make some supporters uncomfortable given the historic significance of the competition.
What competitions are Inter Miami taking part in this season?
Inter Miami had one of the busiest schedules out of any MLS side last season after competing in the league, CONCACAF Champions Cup and Leagues Cup, with the Herons also making into the MLS play-offs.
And this year will see Inter Miami play even more games, with this summer seeing Messi and friends compete in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they have been drawn against FC Porto, Palmeiras and Al-Ahly.
Indeed, 2025 is set to be the biggest year ever for Inter Miami, and whilst the US Open Cup would have been a fantastic competition to take part in, the schedule simply does not allow for the Herons to take on a fifth tournament to worry about this season.