MLS: Diadie Samassekou delighted to make Houston Dynamo debut

Mali international Diadie Samassekou is over the moon following his debut game for US Major League Soccer (MLS) side Houston Dynamo on Sunday.

The 30-year-old played 69-minutes as Houston Dynamo squeezed a 3-2 victory against Portland Timbers in a week four MLS fixture.

👏🇲🇱 Diadié Samassékou called up with Mali for two international friendlies. pic.twitter.com/CpBjB4DJsb

— Cádiz CF 🇳🇬 (@Cadiz_CFNG) March 16, 2024

The former Red Bull Salzburg defensive midfielder was left happy after his first appearance.

Diadie Samassekou has 41 Mali caps with a goal

“It was really important for me to start the game (and) how it feels like a joy (to me) and I think I did well and I have to thank the coach,” Samassekou told Sam With The Story.

Samassekou shared words on what club manager Ben Olson told him before kick off.

“He told me before the game (that) I should boss the team, in case of transitions and I think we had chances because of that.”

Houston Dynamo now sit in 8th with two wins and one loss from four matches in the Western Conference league table.

Samassekou started his career in Mali with Real Bamako before transferring to Austria side, Red Bull Salzburg in a four-year deal.

He made 81 appearances for Red Bull Salzburg after joining them from their feeder club, Liefering following his blistering form for the Mali U-20 side at the 2015 FIFA Toulon Tournament.

He was snapped up by German Bundesliga outfit TSG Hoffenheim in 2019 for a five-year deal with two loan spells at Olympiacos and Cadiz.

His move to Houston Dynamo was confirmed in August 2025, signing one-and-a-half year deal.

He has an impressive international career that includes three Africa Cup of Nations appearances in 2019,2021 and 2023 tournaments with 41 international appearances and a goal under his name.

At club side, the ebony black midfielder won three Austria Bundesliga titles and two Austrian Cup during his three seasons’ stay with Red Bull Salzburg.