HOUSTON (Aug. 1, 2025) – Houston Dynamo FC fell by a 2-0 score to Mazatlán F.C. on Friday at Shell Energy Stadium in the Club’s second contest in Leagues Cup Phase One action.
Goals from Facundo Almada and Fábio Gomes found the net and Nicolás Benedetti assisted twice for Los Cañoneros, who – at least temporarily – moved to the top of the Liga MX Leagues Cup table.
In the 25th minute, Mazatlán opened the scoring against the run of play. Benedetti chipped in an out-swinging corner, finding the head of a streaking Almada, who had shaken free of his defender. Almada rose for a powerful header past a diving Pedro Cruz, who was making his first team debut on the evening, after winning the MLS Next Pro Goalie Wars at last week’s MLS All-Star Week in Austin.
Prior to that score, Dynamo held the lead in shots, shots on goal, possession, final third entries, touches in the opponent’s box, and expected goals. In the 41st minute, Almada nearly picked up a second headed goal, on yet another cross from Benedetti. Almada’s powered the header low and to Cruz’s right, but the 21-year-old keeper got down quickly to parry away the opportunity and hold the deficit at one.
Dynamo FC came close to leveling the score in the opening minute of first half stoppage time, as Femi Awodesu found a loose ball in the Mazatlán box and blasted off the crossbar. The rebound bounced out to Erik Dueñas, who took the volley on the right foot from just outside the box. Mazatlán keeper Ricardo Gutiérrez dove to his left for a terrific save, and Mazatlán took a one-goal lead into the break.
In the second half, Los Cañoneros doubled their advantage on the foot of Gomes. A Dynamo turnover just past the center line found Benedetti, who played a long through ball to Gomes, who slipped between two defenders and slowly tucked to the near post past Cruz for the final 2-0 tally.
Dynamo wrap up Phase One play on Tuesday, Aug. 5, hosting Liga MX side CF Pachuca at Shell Energy Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for that match are available HERE.
