David Beckham's MLS franchise Inter Miami suffered another defeat on Saturday night, as Houston Dynamo won 3-1 in Florida.
The visitors took the lead through Colombian forward Darwin Quintero, with former USA star Fafa Picault doubling their advantage. Former Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain pulled a goal back from the spot before Picault completed his brace in added time.
The result leaves Phil Neville's side with just one point from their first five league games this term. They're bottom of the Eastern Conference and have the worst record among the 28 MLS teams. Miami's defeats include a 5-1 thrashing to Austin last month.
Beckham, who played for both Manchester United and Real Madrid during his glittering career, became the MLS' first big star in 2007 when he ditched Europe for America. He went on to win two MLS Cups during a five-year spell with LA Galaxy.
For boosting the profile of the league, he was given the option to establish his own team - something which he exercised in 2014. Miami started competing in the MLS in 2020 and have endured two poor campaigns since, placing 19th and 20th overall.
Neville, who co-owns League Two outfit Salford City with Beckham, was appointed Miami boss ahead of the 2021 campaign. The former Manchester United and Everton defender's hiring was criticised by many due to his close ties with Beckham.
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"I want to see a team play with freedom, with excitement, with enjoyment, scoring goals, playing attacking football; that’s what I want to see against Houston," said Neville ahead of Saturday's game. "I want them to get the shackles off.
"I want them to play with a little more freedom. They are a great bunch of guys that just want to do well for this football club. They’ve gelled together so well; now they just need to transfer that out onto the pitch. The things I see in training really, really excite me."
Miami boast a big-name squad. Captain Higuain won 14 trophies during his time in Europe and picked up 75 caps for Argentina, starting the World Cup final in 2014. Yet he's failed to deliver in the MLS, scoring just 14 goals since joining Miami in September 2020.
Former Premier League defenders DeAndre Yedlin and Kieran Gibbs - as well as Beckham's son Romeo - are also on Miami's books, while ex-Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross finished his career in Florida last year. He is now the second team's assistant coach.
Beckham is keen to lure more superstars to Florida. He recently offered Sergio Aguero, who was forced to retire last year due to a heart problem, the chance to play in the MLS. The Manchester City legend is considering making a comeback.
"Yesterday, it crossed my mind that I could play again," said Aguero in March. “Inter Miami called me but I refused. In two years? Let’s see... my heart feels fine at the moment. Yesterday I even thought about doing some sprints to see how I was.
"I’m not thinking about returning to professional football but I’d love to get back to playing football with my friends... you never know what's going to happen. Maybe in two years I get a mad idea to play again but I don’t think it’s going to happen now."
