Previewing Houston Dynamo vs Inter Miami with Alex Windley from The Heron Outlet
(image via Inter Miami CF/Twitter)
The Houston Dynamo return home to welcome Inter Miami to Shell Energy Stadium. We talked to our friend Alex Windley from The Heron Outlet to get some insight on Miami ahead of Saturday night’s match.
Miami opened the season well but have lost their last 5 matches. What has gone wrong recently to cause the poor form?
The loss of Gregore has been huge. He was the engine of the team and made it click. That and the lack of cohesion in the final third, really. Phil Neville has done a ton of great things for the club, but he's not the most tactical inclined manager. So, the loss of Gregore and the lack of a true system sees Miami stumble a bit.
Miami made a big trade recently, sending Ariel Lassiter and youngster Bryce Duke to Montreal for Kamal Miller. Why do you think the team decided to move on from Duke and what do they hope to get from Miller?
The team decided to move on because they're making room for a certain Argentine World Cup winner in the summer. Neville explicitly said that Miami will always be a team that prioritizes DP #10s. If Lionel Messi does come in the summer, Duke's playing time would be nonexistent. Miami also okayed the trade because of the quality they'll get in Kamal Miller plus the $1.3 million in GAM they received.
Rodolfo Pizarro has basically returned from exile to feature for Miami again this season. How is he fitting back in with the other pieces in the attack?
Quite well, actually! He hasn't been too spectacular, but he is hanging in there. He's not the main creative force on the team, but his dribbling and ball retention is ideal in certain attacking situations for Miami.
With Miami in the Eastern Conference, they don’t play Houston as much. Who are some under the radar players on the Miami roster that Dynamo fans should look out for on Saturday?
Franco Negri! The new left back signing for IMCF. He's been Miami’s best player so far. He loves to join the attack so expect to see him driving at Daniel Steres a ton!
How is the health of the roster and do you expect anyone to be unavailable Saturday?
Everyone is fully fit except for Robbie Robinson, Nick Marsman and Ian Fray who's still making his way back from an ACL injury. Other than that, it should be a full-strength Miami.
Predicted lineup and prediction for the match?
Difficult to say, honestly! They could come out in a back three, or even a 4-2-3-1, Neville even said that some players will be dropped due to lack of effort. So, it'll be a surprise to see what exactly the starting eleven will be!
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We want to thank Alex for her time and wish our friends in Miami the best of luck tomorrow.
