Inter Miami celebrated their first victory of the 2025 MLS season with a convincing 4-1 triumph over Houston Dynamo, achieving this success without the presence of their star player Lionel Messi.
The match, played at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, saw impressive performances from Luis Suárez and Telasco Segovia, who led Inter Miami’s attack in Messi’s absence. Following the game, manager Javier Mascherano addressed the media, discussing various aspects of the match, including Messi’s rest, Segovia’s impact, and his frustrations over a red card and perceived questionable refereeing decisions.
Mascherano highlighted Luis Suárez’s influential role in the victory, stating, “We’re talking about one of the five best center forwards in the world in the last ten years. He’s played in many teams, and in all of them, he’s had a very big influence.“ He also praised Telasco Segovia’s adaptation to the MLS, emphasizing the player’s contributions in both attack and defense. These comments highlighted the importance of both players in Inter Miami’s success.
Messi’s absence and Mascherano’s explanation
Mascherano explained Messi’s absence as a strategic decision to allow the player sufficient rest and recovery time. He emphasized the team’s upcoming busy schedule and upcoming international duty for Argentina. Mascherano stated that while Messi had trained during the week, the decision to include him in the match was made after further assessment. This prioritization of player welfare and long-term fitness planning was central to his explanation.
Mascherano expressed considerable frustration over Ian Fray’s red card, stating, “I saw the video. Ian did nothing, absolutely nothing…and the referee is next to him, watching him. That starts to worry me, that really worries me… I’m going to kill for them, even if it costs what it costs.”
He also criticized what he perceived as questionable refereeing decisions throughout the match, specifically regarding what he considered unnecessary yellow cards against his players while failing to penalize Houston Dynamo’s actions. This passionate response illustrated the intensity of his feelings about the game’s officiating.
Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule includes the Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 first leg match against Cavalier FC. The victory over Houston Dynamo has provided a much-needed boost to team morale. The team’s focus now shifts to the next series of matches, with the coaching staff hoping to maintain this momentum and build on the positive performance demonstrated in Houston.
