Inter Miami celebrated their first victory of the 2025 MLS season with a convincing 4-1 overcome Houston Dynamo, attaining this success with out the presence of their star participant Lionel Messi.
The match, performed at Shell Vitality Stadium in Houston, noticed spectacular performances from Luis Suárez and Telasco Segovia, who led Inter Miami’s assault in Messi’s absence. Following the sport, supervisor Javier Mascherano addressed the media, discussing varied facets of the match, together with Messi’s relaxation, Segovia’s affect, and his frustrations over a purple card and perceived questionable refereeing selections.
Mascherano highlighted Luis Suárez’s influential function within the victory, stating, “We’re speaking about one of many 5 greatest heart forwards on the earth within the final ten years. He’s performed in lots of groups, and in all of them, he’s had a really huge affect.“ He additionally praised Telasco Segovia’s adaptation to the MLS, emphasizing the participant’s contributions in each assault and protection. These feedback highlighted the significance of each gamers in Inter Miami’s success.
Messi’s absence and Mascherano’s rationalization
Mascherano defined Messi’s absence as a strategic determination to permit the participant enough relaxation and restoration time. He emphasised the group’s upcoming busy schedule and upcoming worldwide responsibility for Argentina. Mascherano acknowledged that whereas Messi had skilled throughout the week, the choice to incorporate him within the match was made after additional evaluation. This prioritization of participant welfare and long-term health planning was central to his rationalization.
Mascherano expressed appreciable frustration over Ian Fray’s purple card, stating, “I noticed the video. Ian did nothing, completely nothing…and the referee is subsequent to him, watching him. That begins to fret me, that basically worries me… I’m going to kill for them, even when it prices what it prices.”
He additionally criticized what he perceived as questionable refereeing selections all through the match, particularly concerning what he thought-about pointless yellow playing cards towards his gamers whereas failing to penalize Houston Dynamo’s actions. This passionate response illustrated the depth of his emotions in regards to the sport’s officiating.
Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule contains the Concacaf Champions League Spherical of 16 first leg match towards Cavalier FC. The victory over Houston Dynamo has offered a much-needed enhance to group morale. The group’s focus now shifts to the following sequence of matches, with the teaching workers hoping to take care of this momentum and construct on the constructive efficiency demonstrated in Houston.