By James Nalton
Messi contributing in all comps
As was the case with Inter Miami’s 2025 MLS opener against New York City, the game against Houston comes on the back of a midweek Champions Cup game against Sporting Kansas City.
Wednesday’s second leg was a much more comfortable affair compared to the first, both in terms of the weather conditions and the scoreline, as Inter Miami cruised to a 3-1 win to progress 4-1 on aggregate.
Messi got on the scoresheet once again, making it two in two in the Champions Cup so far, while Suárez scored his first goal of the season.
Inter Miami are in four competitions this season, with the Club World Cup and Leagues Cup to come, and are back in Champions Cup action against Cavalier of Jamaica next week.
Their focus is currently split between two tournaments, as it might be for much of the season, but Messi’s involvement in goals has been constant, with two goals and two assists in three games across all competitions so far.
One to watch – Telasco Segovia
When Inter Miami were a goal behind and a man down against New York City last week, a goal from the 21-year-old Venezuelan rescued a point in the 10th minute of added time.
It was a coolly taken finish in the circumstances, lifted over the onrushing NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese following the pass from Messi. The type of finish you might see from Messi himself.
Segovia came off the bench in that game, but started both Champions Cup matches.
Coach Javier Mascherano obviously sees him as a key part of the team, and he could end up being the replacement for Diego Gómez who left for Brighton in the January transfer window.
Shaky defence
When Playing Out From The Back Goes Wrong took plenty of headlines in MLS last weekend, with ten goals coming from such defensive errors.
Inter Miami were involved in one of these as Jordi Alba passed straight to NYCFC forward Alonso Martínez to score.
There were other such moments that produced chances for the opposition that didn’t result in goals, so it’s an area Mascherano will have to work on if his team are to become more convincing.
Will Miami have a problem in Houston?
Dynamo have paired one of the most underrated deep-lying midfielders in the league, Artur, with one of the highest-rated young American playmakers around, Jack McGlynn, as they look to service forward and designated player Ezequiel Ponce.
McGlynn joined Houston from Philadelphia Union in the offseason in one of the league’s first cash-for-player trades.
The move made waves, especially as McGlynn was a Union homegrown player and widely considered one of the most gifted American talents on the verge of the national team.
Dynamo hope Artur and others will pick up the defensive work while McGlynn executes his Andrea-Pirlo-like-but-left-footed passing, set-piece delivery, and long shooting; though Artur’s own passing and distribution is not to be underestimated.
Prediction
Houston lost their opening game of the season against FC Dallas so will be looking for their first points. Miami seek their first win but might have to settle for a draw once again as their defence still looks vulnerable.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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