2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 17
Inter Miami CF vs. Houston Dynamo
Inter Miami CF Stadium – Fort Lauderdale
October 10 – 5:00 PM ET
TV: UniMás, TUDN
STREAMING: Twitter in US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada
After a stunning first MLS goal, Gonzalo Higuain hopes to lead Inter Miami CF to a second consecutive win when they take on the Houston Dynamo Saturday in Fort Lauderdale.
A shorthanded Inter Miami CF (4W-10L-2D) squad snapped a three-match losing streak with a come-from-behind win over the New York Red Bulls, while the Dynamo (4W-5L-7D) battled adversity of their own to beat rival FC Dallas Wednesday night.
Both teams are trying to make a push above the playoff line in their respective conferences, with Miami in 12th in the East, four points below the line, while Houston are ninth in the West, level on points with Colorado.
Inter Miami CF
Higuain was nonchalant about his first MLS goal, a stunning. free kick golazo in the 81st minute, calling it "my role." But coach Diego Alonso said the goal, and the win, was "massive," considering the expansion side was down five starters through injury, suspension and international call-ups. He also lauded Matias Pellegrini's first goal, an equalizer two minutes after the Red Bulls took the lead.
“It’s a special case because he’s fought the entire year. to be able to show his talent,” Alonso said. “He’s a very young player, it’s the first time that he leaves his country and plays outside of his country. He leaves by himself and he has also the pressure of being one of our DPs. It’s very gratifying to see that he's worked very hard and to be able to do what he did today. He deserved this and we're happy for his performance, for him to regain the confidence that brought him here a year ago.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: George Acosta (M) - left knee injury
- OUT: David Norman Jr (M) - left ankle injury
- OUT: Denso Ulysse (D) - left lower leg injury
- OUT: Juan Agudelo (F) - lower leg injury
- OUT: Andrés Reyes (D) - lower leg injury
- OUT: Luis Robles (GK) - fractured left arm
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: Rodolfo Pizarro (M)
Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo snapped a six-match winless streak, beating rival FC Dallas in the latest chapter of the Texas Derby Wednesday night at BBVA Stadium. And they did it despite playing the entire second half with 10 men after Mauro Manotas was sent off on a straight red card in first-half stoppage time for a studs-up challenge on Andres Ricaurte. After Darwin Quintero put the Dynamo in front in the 20th minute, Darwin Ceren buried a penalty kick seven minutes from time to seal the win.
"Unfortunately we took that red card and then it was about effort and it was about being together and about fighting as a team and I really couldn't be any prouder of the team today," Tab Ramos said after the match. "The effort was amazing in a moment we really needed a win. We wanted to win this game for the fans and we also wanted to get back on track. Having to do it the way we did it, I think it's huge. I'm extremely proud of the team."
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Michael Salazar (F) - right knee injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Memo Rodriguez (M) - right thigh injury
- Suspended: Mauro Manotas (F)
- Suspended after next caution: Boniek Garcia (M), Memo Rodriguez (M)
- International duty: None
Series Matchup
- This is the first all-time meeting between Inter Miami CF and the Houston Dynamo.
Officials
- Referee: Drew Fischer
- Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Tyler Wyrostek
- 4th Official: Natalie Simon
- VAR: Rubiel Vazquez
