Spotlight shines for Houston Dynamo as they host Inter Miami
(image via Aldo Canale)
After a disappointing loss to open the season, the spotlight of Major League Soccer’s Sunday Night Soccer shines on the Houston Dynamo as they welcome Inter Miami and their stars to Shell Energy Stadium.
When: Sunday, March 2 | 6:10 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: Sirius XM FC - Channel 157 (English), TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Will He or Won’t He?
We had the same questions the last time the Dynamo played Miami, in the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final. At that time Lionel Messi had an injury and ultimately was unable to play in that match. Fast forward to now and the same question is on fans’ minds. Messi played midweek in Champions Cup action and came out of the match early. Head coach Javier Mascherano said Messi was ok, and he trained on Friday. But, Messi is 37 years old and Miami has another Champions Cup tie this coming week, and Messi will NOT play tonight. He did not travel to Houston as Mascherano gives his star a rest. Fans in Houston wanted to see the superstar but it will be a nice boost for the Dynamo who are searching for their first points of 2025.
Defensive Mistakes
Houston lost the season opener to FC Dallas in large part to uncharacteristic mistakes from their backline. Ethan Bartlow passed a ball directly to Petar Musa for Dallas’ equalizer and the defense couldn’t keep up with Anderson Julio as he went by Andrew Tarbell, who was way off his line, for the winner. One bright spot on defense was Femi Awodesu who made his MLS debut and played very well. Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen said in his weekly press conference that Erik Sviatchenko, who missed last week’s match, and Franco Escobar, who didn’t start, will be available for selection tonight. Whoever is in the back line will have their hands full with Miami’s attack and can’t afford to make any mistakes.
Messi and Friends
Lionel Messi grabs all the headlines, rightfully so, but he has put together quite the supporting cast in Miami. Former FC Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez are all getting up their in age but are still very good players. Miami has also put together a strong group of talented young players including 21-year-old David Ruiz, 19-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi, 21-year-old Noah Allen, 22-year-old Federico Redondo, and 21-year-old Telasco Segovia. With Messi out tonight, the Dynamo will still have to pay very close attention to his supporting cast.
Houston Dynamo – Out: Lawrence Ennali (knee), Nelson Quinones (knee); Questionable: Erik Sviatchenko (lower body)
Inter Miami – Out: Tomas Aviles (red card suspension), Lionel Messi (rest); Questionable: Fafa Picault (hamstring), Marcelo Weigandt (hamstring)
Predicted Lineup
