MLS roundup: Inter Miami thrash Houston despite Messi's absence

Lionel Messi (37) was given a rest, yet Inter Miami effortlessly secured a 4-1 victory against the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer on Sunday, with Telasco Segovia netting two goals.

Fans in Texas expressed their disappointment at missing the opportunity to witness the Argentine World Cup champion, as coach Javier Mascherano opted to keep him in Florida following a demanding start to the season.

In an effort to make amends for Messi's absence, Houston offered their supporters complimentary tickets to another match this season; however, the Dynamo's defense proved equally accommodating.

Miami applied pressure as Houston attempted to play from the back, leading to Benjamin Cremaschi intercepting the ball and setting up Luis Suarez, who skillfully assisted Telasco Segovia for the opening goal.

Houston responded positively, maintaining significant possession, but fell victim to a counter-attack in the 37th minute, with Tadeo Allende finishing the move with a powerful left-footed shot.

The third goal came just before halftime when Yannick Bright won possession in midfield and surged forward, passing to Suarez, who found Segovia. The striker held off a challenge from Obafemi Awodesu before slotting the ball into the corner.

After the break, Houston thought they had scored when Ezequiel Ponce's header found the net, but it was disallowed for offside.

In the 79th minute, Suarez extended the lead to 4-0, turning past his markers and driving into the box before unleashing a powerful left-footed shot past Dynamo goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell.

A goal from Nicolas Lodeiro in the 85th minute offered some consolation for the home team, but Miami faced further frustration when defender Ian Fray received a red card for an incident after the final whistle.

Nonetheless, the performance indicated that Miami, who won the Supporters Shield last year for their record-setting regular season, is poised to be a formidable contender once again in the Eastern Conference.

"We started really well the first half to get 3-0 up," Suarez told broadcaster Apple TV.

"We will try our best, we know last year was painful to lose (in the playoffs) to Atlanta, it was so sad and this year we will do our best to win MLS," he added.

Defending champions Los Angeles Galaxy experienced their second consecutive defeat at the beginning of the season, falling 2-1 to the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The home team took an early lead with Sam Adekugbe scoring in the third minute. Gabriel Pec equalized for Los Angeles in the 39th minute, capitalizing on some uncertain defending from Vancouver.

However, just three minutes before the final whistle, Pedro Vite delivered a cross from the right that Brian White connected with via a glancing header, securing the victory for the Canadian side.

SportsLigue