Previewing Houston Dynamo vs Inter Miami with Alex Windley from The Heron’s Nest
(image via Inter Miami CF)
The Houston Dynamo return to Shell Energy Stadium this weekend to welcome star-studded Inter Miami to town. We talked to our friend Alex Windley from The Heron’s Nest to get some insight on Miami ahead of Sunday’s match.
Bayou City Soccer (BCS): Miami is in between rounds of the Concacaf Champions Cup after advancing on Tuesday. Can we expect to see a full strength Herons squad in Houston or do you think they rest some players ahead of next week's CCC match?
The Heron’s Nest (THN): I think Mascherano will go with a close to full strength roster as possible. The team will have around five days off which is a decent amount of rest! If there are any players that will be rested, maybe Ian Fray, depending on how the injured Chelo Weigandt recovers. But while Miami may be full strength, I do think Mascherano will pull starters out at around the 60-70 minute mark if the game is in their favor.
BCS: Javier Mascherano has taken over as head coach from Tata Martino. How much different is the way Mascherano wants to play from the way we've seen Miami under Tata?
THN: Quite different! Tata was a possession heavy coach. Everything went through the middle - to the team's detriment sometimes. With Mascherano, he loves to go direct and play with pace over over the top. Winger Tadeo Allende and the midfield muscle of Telasco Segovia have been key to this. Miami usually line up in a 4-4-2, which makes them defensively compact through the middle, and offensively able to play through the wings much more than last season. I also don't think we'll be seeing a back five from Mascherano this year, either haha.
BCS: It seems like Miami brought in a whole crew of new players this offseason. Who are some of the key players brought in that Dynamo fans will want to be on the lookout for?
THN: Maxi Falcón! You may have noticed him. The hair, aggressive style of play. He's just the defender Miami needed to give the backline some bite. He'll probably start this Sunday as well.
BCS: Miami conceded twice in their opening MLS match and midweek in their CCC tie against Sporting Kansas City. How does the Herons' defense look this season and is there still a concern for this team defending in transition?
THN: Right now, too early to say. I will say, the backline managed to play 80 minutes down a man and still kept the scoreline low from New York City FC’s attack. Additionally, Sporting KC's goal came off a deflection from a Miami defender. Despite that, Miami’s defense is much more compact and balanced. They'll continue to grow as the season progresses.
BCS: Are there any notable injuries and what do you expect to see for a lineup on Sunday?
THN: Chelo Weigandt and Fafa Picault will likely be out due to muscle injuries!
Lineup? 442 from right to left:
Ustari
Luján, Falcon, Allen, Alba
Allende, Busquets, Redondo, Segovia
Messi, Suarez
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We want to thank Alex for his time and wish our friends in south Florida the best of luck Sunday night. Be sure to check out Alex’s work at The Heron’s Nest.
