Houston Dynamo FC fall short in Leagues Cup finale against Pachuca

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vida Loca Photography. Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 5, 2025) Houston Dynamo FC came up just short in their final Leagues Cup match on Tuesday night, falling 2-1 to C.F. Pachuca at Shell Energy Stadium.

Pachuca scored first in the 24th minute. Houston’s goalkeeper Jonathan Bond made a big save, but the rebound bounced off a defender and right to Pachuca’s Luis Quiñones, who knocked it in for a 1-0 lead.

The Dynamo fought back in the second half. Lawrence Ennali came in after halftime and brought energy to the attack. He helped create chances and kept the pressure on the Pachuca defense.

Houston finally broke through in the 82nd minute. Forward Toyosi Olusanya was taken down in the box, earning a penalty kick. Amine Bassi stepped up and calmly placed the ball into the net, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to tie the game at 1-1.

But the celebration didn’t last long. Just three minutes later, Pachuca’s Gastón Togni scored from a tough angle, slipping the ball past Bond and into the far corner for a 2-1 lead.

The Dynamo couldn’t find another equalizer and ended their Leagues Cup run with a tough loss.

Now, Houston shifts focus back to MLS play. They head to Austin this Saturday for a Texas Cup showdown with Austin FC. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. A win could put the Dynamo right back into the playoff hunt.