Inter Miami earns second straight win with penalty over Houston Dynamo

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:13 am

Lewis Morgan scored via penalty kick in the 57th minute as Inter Miami CF won back-to-back matches for the first time beating the visiting Houston Dynamo 1-0 on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The result was another first for expansion Miami (5-10-2, 17 points), which endured a weather delay of roughly 50 minutes to build on a win over New York Red Bulls from earlier this week. Three of Inter's victories in its first MLS season have come at home.

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Between the two sides, Miami held the advantage in terms of pressure throughout the match. Inter was finally rewarded for its effort just before the hour mark. After the Dynamo's Aljaz Struna was whistled for an obvious foul inside the box, Morgan easily converted from the spot for his fifth goal of the season.

Houston (4-6-7, 19 points), meanwhile, never seemed to get comfortable when in possession of the ball. Following Morgan's goal, the Dynamo stepped up their attack, but were unable to come through with a strong enough chance to build on a victory of their own from Wednesday, 2-0 over rival FC Dallas.

That's Houston's lone victory over its last eight matches.

Inter Miami got the first serious chance of the match during the 14th minute amid a rain downpour. However, Gonzalo Higuain's point-blank shot went just wide left of the goal.

At roughly the 30-minute mark, the match was delayed due to the inclement weather. Approximately 50 minutes later, both sides were back on the pitch and 10 minutes later Higuain again had a brilliant chance that was pushed away by Houston keeper Marko Maric.

Struna nearly broke the scoreless tie in the 42nd minute when his attempt inside the box off a stellar cross was pushed wide right. With the loss, the Dynamo dropped to 0-3-2 in their last five road contests.