Inter Miami cruise past Houston for an easy win

Houston Dynamo FC 1 – 4 Inter Miami

HOUSTON, TX–Inter Miami secured their first win of the season as they eased past Houston with an impressive victory without their inspirational captain Lionel Messi.

Although the Argentine didn’t make the trip, a crowd of more than twenty thousand created an electric atmosphere at Shell Energy Stadium.

Dynamo front man Ibrahim Aliyu was making the Miami defence work in the early stages of the match, and they enjoyed plenty of possession.

After an impressive preseason, the home fans were hoping their side could upset Miami and earn their first points. However, they came unstuck early on and were punished after a defensive mistake.

Obafemi Awodesu tried to play the ball out from the edge of his own penalty area, but Ben Cremaschi intercepted it and found Luis Suarez. The striker’s deft touch played in Telasco Segovia, and with just the keeper to beat, the new signing made no mistake to open the scoring.

It was a big blow for Houston, but they continued to cause Miami some concerns at the back. A decent attack found a way into the Miami box, but Gonzalo Lujan made a good challenge, and the Houston penalty appeals were waved away.

New signing Jack McGlynn was finding space and delivered some penetrating balls that caught Miami out, but the home side didn’t make the most of the chances. And their profligacy was compounded soon after when the Herons struck again.

Segovia was all over the pitch and cleared his lines from the edge of his area to Suarez on the halfway line.

Suarez’s looping pass found the run of Tadeo Allende, and with three defenders chasing him down he unleashed an unstoppable shot that found the back of the net in spectacular style.

At that moment, it felt like it was game over, but Houston should have scored minutes later to get themselves back in the game. A great cross from McGlynn picked out Ibrahim at the back post, but he couldn’t control his effort and the chance went begging.

As halftime approached, Miami did indeed finish the game as a contest when that man Segovia scored his second and Inter’s third.

The midfielder benefitted from his own good work when he pressed high and won back possession. Yannick Bright picked up the loose ball and ran at the defense before passing to Suarez.

Segovia had continued his run and stayed up with play. Suarez picked him out in the box, and he twisted and turned before finding the back of the net.

It was a dominant first half from Miami and they continued to control the game in the second period.

Houston were still having plenty of possession, but rarely looked threatening and Miami were cruising. And with three assists to his name already, Suarez then took his own chance in some style.

The ageing front man received the ball on the edge of the area and then used all his experience to slip away from the defenders to create a shooting opportunity. He rarely misses those chances and although Andrew Tarbell got a hand to it, it was a great goal from a great player.

Houston finally started to impact the game and showed some spirit. They had their best phase of the game and were rewarded with a consolation goal for Nicolas Lodeiro. It begs the question why they could only muster that passion with ten minutes left, but by then the game was well and truly lost.

However, there was still time for late drama, as some of the players were seen arguing after the final whistle. The situation boiled over a bit and Ian Fray was shown a red card for his involvement in the incident. The punishment seemed a little harsh, and coach Javier Mascherano was livid with the referee after the game.

He now has to deal with two of his defensive options being suspended after receiving two red cards in the two opening games.

Next time out, the Herons welcome Charlotte FC to Chase Stadium as they look to continue their undefeated start to the season.