Fort Lauderdale, Florida -The Houston Dynamo won an end-to-end game in Florida with goals from Darwin Quintero, his third is as many games. Then, Fafa Picault ended the game with a brace and securing Houston’s first victory away from home in 26 matches.
Things started quickly for the visitors as within the first minute, Cory Baird forced Miami Goalkeeper Nick Marsman into a diving save. It was Marsman’s first start of the MLS season as he was still rehabbing from a injury sustained in the 2021 season. Marsman would be required into another save in the 6th minute as Fafa Picault was one-on-one with the goalie and could not pick out the back of the net.
It wasn’t all Houston in the first half though, as Miami was the better team for rest of the half. In the 21st minute, Robbie Robinson danced his way down the left wing and forced what ended up being a goal saving deflection from Houston defender Teenage Hadebe. Then, shouts of handball from the Miami players as Jean Mota’s free kick found the head of captain Gregore, a header that was goal bound until it bounced off the arm of a Houston defender. The handball complaints from Gregore fell on silent ears as referee and VAR decided to move on.
The second half started off just as fast as the first, but this time the first major chance ended up in the back of the net. Just three minutes into the second half, Houston defender Griffin Dorsey had his cross deflected and fall right onto the head of Darwin Quintero, giving Houston the 1-0 lead.
Things went from bad to worse for Inter Miami as in the 56th minute, goalkeeper Nick Marsman, who had been so sure-handed all game, misjudged a lofted ball and dropped it on the feet of Quintero and whilst trying to make the save Marsman brought him down in the box forcing the referee to point to the spot and give Houston a penalty. Up walked Fafa Picault who was able to slot it the bottom right and make it 2-0 to Houston.
The game was far from over though as in the 65th minute, Miami were given a lifeline. Miami winger Robert Taylor was brought down in the box. Gonzalo Higuain stepped up and converted the spot kick to bring Miami within striking distance for the last 25 minutes.
It was Houston however that would have the next big chance of the game and it didn’t come until the 93rd minute. Fafa Picault was on the end of a long ball by Tyler Pasher on the counter attack. Picault was allowed to run into the 6 yard box calmly finished the goal and the game for the Houston Dynamo.
The Dynamo move to into 7th in the West standings and now 2-2-1 on the season. They will look to keep this momentum as they will host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, April 9th, at 8:30 pm
For Inter Miam,i nothing can see to go right. Now five games into the MLS season and only 1 point to show for it. They are dead last in points total and goals scored. Both tallies are underwhelming for a team and fan base who coming into the season were optimistic for the second year under Phil Neville. They get a chance to get their season in the right direction as they will host the New England Revolution on Saturday, April 9th at 3:00 pm
