Houston Dynamo 1-4 Inter Miami: Suarez has four goal involvements as Messi misses big win
Lionel Messi sat out Inter Miami's trip to the Houston Dynamo, but former Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez ensured his absence was not felt.
Luis Suarez recorded four goal involvements as Inter Miami crushed the Houston Dynamo 4-1 for their first win of the MLS season, despite Lionel Messi being rested.
Head coach Javier Mascherano had refused to be drawn on whether Messi would be rotated in Texas, but the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was left out of Miami's squad on Sunday.
That prompted the Dynamo – expecting a sold-out crowd – to offer those in attendance a free ticket to return to another game later this season, but those who travelled to Shell Energy Stadium still got to see a household name at the top of his game.
After just six minutes, Suarez's lay-off teed up Telasco Segovia for a composed finish into the bottom-right corner, and the Uruguayan created another goal 37 minutes in.
Suarez's looping pass into Tadeo Allende was clever, but this goal was all about the latter as he drove into the box before firing an unstoppable, left-footed effort into the far corner.
In first-half stoppage time, another fine Segovia finish got Suarez his second assist, as the youngster turned on his pass in a crowded penalty area and tucked a neat finish home.
Miami were comfortable throughout the second half, and a solo goal from Suarez made it 4-0 with just over 10 minutes to play, the former Liverpool and Barcelona man beating two challenges then firing in at the near post on his left foot.
Nico Lodeiro scored a late consolation for Houston, who remain pointless after two games. With four points, Miami are up to third in the Eastern Conference.
Data Debrief: Old and young combine
While Suarez's three assists in this game are more than any other MLS player has managed in this young 2025 season, Segovia deserves some of the plaudits after a breakout display.
He has three goals in two games this term, and he had a 100% success rate from his two shots, which totalled 0.47 expected goals (xG).
Only Tai Baribo, with five goals for the Philadelphia Union, sits above him in the early-season goalscoring charts.