By Victor Araiza
Mazatlán FC docked on the Gulf Coast and left with all three points after a 2-0 win over Houston Dynamo on Friday night at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas.
The Cañoneros took the lead in the 25th minute off a corner kick, as Facundo Almada powered in a header from a well-placed service by Nicolás Benedetti.
The duo nearly connected again in the 41st minute, this time on a free kick, but Dynamo goalkeeper Pedro Cruz made a diving save to deny Almada a second.
Houston came close to equalizing just after halftime. Off a corner in the 46th minute, Femi Awodesu’s effort struck the crossbar, and Erik Dueñas' follow-up from outside the box was stopped by Ricardo Gutiérrez.
Fábio Gomes doubled the lead for the Sinaloan club in the 57th minute with a precise finish off the right post. Benedetti delivered a perfectly weighted pass between two center backs, notching his second assist of the night.
Houston brought on marquee players in the second half, including Jack McGlynn and Ezequiel Ponce, but they couldn’t spark a comeback. The pair combined on a late free kick opportunity in stoppage time, but it came to nothing as Mazatlán held firm for the win.
REACTIONS
- Mazatlán Head Coach Robert Siboldi:
- “This competition is a healthy one because it helps both the MLS and Liga MX teams grow. I think this type of tournament is necessary, everything grows, we all grow when we compete like this.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Mazatlán:
- Nicolás Benedetti delivered two precise assists to set up both goals and take Man of the Match honors
GAME NOTES
- Mazatlán is 3-1-1 since the start of the Apertura 2025, they have only conceded three goals in those five matches.
- Mazatlán FC improved to 7-3 all-time in Leagues Cup, including winning 5 of their last 6.
- Facundo Almada scored his first career Leagues Cup goal in his 9th appearance in the tournament.
- Fábio Gomes scored again after having Mazatlán's only goal in the opener, he now has two goals in three games since joining Liga MX.
- Houston continues to struggle offensive, they are winless in their last five games and have been outscored 11-2 in that stretch.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards
- Houston Dynamo: Brooklyn Raines, Daniel Steres, Gabe Segal
- Mazatlán: Lucas Merolla, Bryan Colula
LOOKING AHEAD
- Houston's next match will be against Pachuca on August 5th
- Mazatlán's next match will be against San Diego on August 5th
