This Match recap is presented by Powerful Foods
Inter Miami CF recorded consecutive victories for the first time with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo. A goal from the penalty spot by Lewis Morgan, the team’s leading scorer with five, and a clean sheet helped secure victory for the team at Inter Miami CF Stadium.
"It's the first time we've been able to win two matches in a row. I think that it strengthens our spirit. I think the two wins were deserved and that also strengthens us, because winning by doing things well strengthens our convictions," said manager Diego Alonso. "We have to keep working and pushing forward. We'll enjoy today and tomorrow we'll begin work for the match against Atlanta."
Midfielder Wil Trapp lined up in the team’s starting XI, making his milestone 200th MLS regular season appearance and third consecutive start for Inter Miami.
The early stages of the match saw chances fall Inter Miami’s way. At around the 15 minute mark, Gonzalo Higuaín and Matías Pellegrini unleashed powerful long range efforts that were just off the mark. In the 23rd minute, Morgan and Higuaín connected on a clever one-two to set up a powerful right-footed shot from Morgan that drew a diving save. Higuaín again struck at goal in the 28th minute, recovering possession at the far post on a corner and striking a shot from a tight angle that was saved.
The match entered a weather delay at the 30 minute mark, but when the team’s returned Inter Miami created one more chance before the half; Pellegrini controlled a long ball on the side of the box and delivered a pass into Higuaín in the box. The forward received the pass, turned and delivered a shot that was deflected and drew another save from Houston.
The hosts continued to press ahead in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts in the early going; a corner kick was delivered into the box in the 56th minute when Leandro González Pirez was brought down in the box and a penalty was called. Morgan stepped up moments later, sent the keeper the wrong way and scored the penalty to make it 1-0. The goal was Morgan’s fifth on the season, the most on the team, and his third in the last three matches. He also leads the team with five assists.
The Scottish winger continued to threaten with another opportunity moments later; impressive skill from Trapp saw him dribble between defenders, beat another defender with a roulette, and play a pass into Higuain on the edge of the box. The forward then delivered a pass into Morgan at the top of the box, who measured and struck a powerful shot just wide of the far post.
The team defended well and controlled the game, led by the efforts of Heineken Man of the Match Blaise Matuidi, to maintain its lead throughout the remainder of the match and earn a 1-0 home victory. It also marked the first clean sheet by goalkeeper John McCarthy for Inter Miami in just his second match.
Inter Miami returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m. ET to face Atlanta United FC at Inter Miami CF Stadium.
