Luis Suarez put on a masterclass performance, scoring once and assisting on three goals as Inter Miami secured a dominant 4-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Sunday night at Shell Energy Stadium.
Despite missing superstar Lionel Messi, who remained in South Florida for extra rest, Miami (1-0-1, 4 points) picked up its first win of the 2024 MLS season and third across all competitions. The victory sets the club up with momentum as they prepare for their upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 match. Meanwhile, Houston (0-2-0, 0 points) remains winless after dropping back-to-back home games to start the season.
Inter Miami wasted no time asserting itself, with Suarez orchestrating the attack. The 37-year-old Uruguayan’s first contribution came in the 10th minute after a defensive mistake by Houston. A deflected pass from Obafemi Awodesu landed at the feet of Benjamin Cremaschi, who redirected it to Suarez without hesitation, Suarez delivered a pinpoint cross to Telasco Segovia, who calmly finished past Houston goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell.
In the 28th minute, Suarez assisted on Miami’s second goal with a brilliant lofted pass to Tadeo Allende. Sprinting into the box, Allende met the ball in stride and struck a left-footed shot from distance that curled past Tarbell to double Miami’s advantage.
Just before the hour mark, Miami struck again. Yannick Bright, making his return from a thigh injury, forced a turnover near midfield and quickly advanced the ball forward. Suarez capitalized with another precision pass to Segovia, who slotted home his second goal of the match in the 58th minute.
Suarez then capped his stellar night with a goal of his own in the 79th minute. After slicing through the Houston defense on an individual run, he coolly finished past Tarbell to make it 4-0.
The Dynamo found some late consolation in the 85th minute when Nicolas Lodeiro’s shot ricocheted off Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and into the net. Houston had earlier thought they had pulled one back in the 61st minute when Ezequiel Ponce headed in a free kick from Jack McGlynn, but he was ruled offside.
Following the final whistle, Miami defender Ian Fray was issued a red card after a heated exchange with several Houston players. Despite the late drama, Miami celebrated a convincing win as they look ahead to their next challenge.
Inter Miami will now shift focus to the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16, where they aim to continue their strong start to the year. Meanwhile, Houston will attempt to regroup and find its first points of the MLS season.
