Inter Miami, playing without Messi, outscore Houston 4-1
Telasco Segovia scored twice and Luis Suarez netted a goal and three assists Sunday at Shell Energy Stadium, helping the Herons to their first regular-season win.
Inter Miami players (from left) Telasco Segovia, Luis Suarez, Tadeo Allende and Benja Cremaschi celebrate the Herons’ 4-1 win Sunday at Houston. Photo: X @InterMiamiCF
‘El Pistolero’ leads the Herons
Luis Suarez, 38, turned back the clock Saturday in Houston, setting up Inter Miami’s first three goals before netting one of his own in the Herons’ 4-1 regular season win against the Dynamo.
Telasco Segovia, 21, scored twice and Tadeo Allende, 26, added a goal to give Inter Miami a 3-0 halftime lead. The Herons’ took a 4-0 lead in the second half when Suarez — in vintage “El Pistolero” form — dribbled through and around three defenders before tapping the ball over the line.
Nicolas Lodeiro scored the only Houston goal in the 85th minute.
Inter Miami played without Lionel Messi, who reportedly is not injured but stayed in Miami to be well rested before Thursday’s Concacaf Champions Cup match against Jamaican side Cavalier FC.
According to match commentator Sacha Klejstan, as reported by MLSsoccer.com’s Matt Doyle in his “Armchair Analyst” piece, Inter Miami used Messi’s absence to the team’s advantage.
Messi, who is 37, and Suarez are iconic players and among the best scorers of all time, but neither is renowned for their defense, especially at this stage in their careers.
Knowing Houston would focus on building its offense from the back, Mascherano inserted Benjamin Cremaschi, who turned 20 Sunday, and Yannick Bright, 23, into the starting midfield, letting Segovia and Allende step up to harass the Dynamo’s back line.
The young legs made the difference; turnovers in Houston’s defensive third led to bit of Segovia’s goals.
If you enjoy Xs and 0s, check out Doyle’s analysis here.
The Houston match was the fourth in four days for Inter Miami, and the schedule doesn’t let up. The Herons will host Jamaican side Cavalier FC in a Champions Cup match Thursday and Charlotte FC for an MLS regular season game March 9. Then the Herons go to Jamaica March 13 for the second leg of their Cup tie with Cavalry FC and to Atlanta United for another regular season match March 16.
Miami’s starters included Oscar Ustari in goal, center backs Gonzalo Lujan and Noah Allen, wingbacks Jordi Alba and Ian Fray, defensive midfielders Sergio Busquets and Yannick Bright, attacking mid Cremaschi, wingers Segovia and Allende and striker Suarez.
Goalkeeper Drake Callender, who has been out with an adductor muscle injury, was available to Mascherano for the first time in 2025 and Bright, who impressed during the preseason, saw his first action after recovering from a thigh laceration. Tomas Aviles missed the match because of a red card suspension.
David Ruiz, Santi Morales, Federico Redondo, Leo Afonso and Robert Taylor all played in the second half. Maxi Falcon, Julian Gressel and David Martinez were available but did not play.