Inter Miami CF (2W-6L-0D, 6 pts) narrowly fell 1-0 against the Houston Dynamo FC in its visit to Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night.
Lineup Notes
Inter Miami fielded a starting XI with four changes from the team’s last match. Drake Callender started in goal; captain DeAndre Yedlin, Sergii Kryvtsov, Kamal Miller and Franco Negri lined up in defense; Jean Mota and Dixon Arroyo anchored the center of midfield with Corentin Jean, Rodolfo Pizarro and Nicolás Stefanelli ahead; Leonardo Campana led the team’s attack as the sole striker.
Miller’s and Dixon’s starts marked their team debuts after their recent additions to Inter Miami’s roster. Midfielder David Ruiz, meanwhile, made his second appearance in MLS after being signed on a short-term loan agreement from Inter Miami II to be available for tonight’s match; he made his MLS debut for the team earlier this season in March in the home game against the Chicago Fire.
Match Action
It was an even first 45 minutes with both sides probing the opposition’s defensive line. Inter Miami was lively in attack throughout, in particular with several shots from Campana and Jean forcing saves from the Dynamo’s keeper or being blocked by defenders.
Despite the team’s constant efforts in attack, the match went into the break scoreless.
Inter Miami then started off the second half on the front foot and was close to finding the opener on two different occasions, but was denied by the posts. First, in the 62nd minute when a low cross from Negri from the left wing was deflected by a defender before hitting the far post, and then in the 67th minute with a left-footed long-distance strike by Mota after a corner kick that bounced back into play off the post.
It was the hosts, however, that took the lead in the 72 minute through a goal by defender Daniel Steres.
Inter Miami then fought to find the equalizer throughout the remaining minutes, but the hosts were able to hold onto their 1-0 to claim the win.
Post-Match Reaction
“We just need to keep going, we need to keep believing in everything that we’re doing... We’ve got some good quality players. It will turn. The tide will turn,” said head coach Phil Neville.
One Planet Limited-Edition Kits
Inter Miami wore the limited edition One Planet kits tonight after being unveiled earlier this week. This year, Inter Miami returned to the ocean to launch the Club’s adidas One Planet jersey alongside a great hammerhead shark, completing a three-part campaign to promote responsible plastic use and the positive impact it can have on our ocean habitat. In addition to the one-of-a-kind digital marketing campaign, the Club is teaming up with University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science to raise awareness about the importance of sharks to the ocean ecosystem and participate in shark conservation.
The limited edition jerseys are available for purchase on MLSstore.com and at the DRV PNK Stadium Team Store beginning on Saturday, May 6 while supplies last.
Next Match
Inter Miami will now switch its focus to its Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round game against Miami FC on Wednesday, April 26 at FIU Football Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Stats:
Possession:
HOU - 55.2%
MIA - 44.8%
Shots:
HOU - 11
MIA - 20
Saves:
HOU - 5
MIA - 2
Corners:
HOU - 4
MIA - 8
Fouls:
HOU - 11
MIA - 8
