USMNT beats Haiti 2–1 to Finish Group D

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

ARLINGTON, TEXAS (June 22, 2025) On Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the U.S. Men’s National Team beat Haiti 2–1 in their final Group D match of the Concacaf Gold Cup.

.The U.S. answered quickly. In the 13th minute, Malik Tillman made a strong, low shot into the net to tie the game. That gave the home fans a big cheer and brought the score to 1–1.

The U.S. took the lead in the 75th minute. Defender Patrick Agyemang headed in a pass from a corner kick. That goal pushed the U.S. ahead 2–1.

They held on to win, ending group play with a perfect 3–0 record. The U.S. scored eight goals and gave up just one, earning nine points to top Group D.

Haiti finishes with just one point (a 1–1 draw) and misses the knockout round 

Canada, Honduras earn key points in Gold Cup group play

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

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 21, 2025) Canada and Honduras kept their Concacaf Gold Cup dreams alive with exciting results on the field on Saturday. Both teams are chasing a spot in the knockout round as group play nears its end.

Canada got off to a fast start in their match against Curaçao. Midfielder Nathan Saliba, making just his fifth appearance for the national team, scored early in the 9th minute. His right-footed shot from the center of the box found the bottom corner of the goal, giving Canada a 1-0 lead.

Canada looked like they would grab all three points, but Curaçao had other plans. In the 94th minute, Jeremy Antonisse tied the game. He scored on a right-footed shot from the center of the box. Joshua Zimmerman provided the assist with a sharp pass. The match ended 1-1.

Later that evening, Honduras brought energy and intensity in a 2-0 win over El Salvador. The crowd roared when forward Romell Quioto scored in the 33rd minute. The former Houston Dynamo star split two defenders and fired a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner. Edwin Rodríguez set him up with a smooth assist.

Honduras sealed the win in stoppage time. Midfielder took off on a fast break. El Salvador’s goalkeeper, Mario Gonzalez, had moved up the field, leaving the goal wide open. Ramirez took advantage and scored from long range into an empty net.

“We took advantage of Dixon’s potential,” said Honduras head coach Reinaldo Rueda. “Thank God he was able to finish. That second goal gave us a huge relief.”

With one game left in group play, Canada leads Group B with four points. Honduras is close behind with three. Curaçao has two points, while El Salvador is last with one.

Canada will face El Salvador next at Shell Energy Stadium on June 24. Honduras will take on Curaçao the same day at PayPal Park in California.

Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago battle to 1-1 Gold Cup draw in Houston

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 19, 2025) Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago ended in a 1-1 draw on Thursday night at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston during the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.

The match was full of drama, starting in the 39th minute when Haiti’s Jean-Kévin Duverne was shown a red card. That meant Haiti had to play the rest of the game with only 10 players.

Still, Haiti struck first. In the 49th minute, Frantzdy Pierrot scored with a strong right-footed shot to put his team ahead. Louicius Don Deedson helped set up the goal with a nice pass from just outside the penalty area.

Trinidad and Tobago answered back in the 68th minute. Justin Garcia tied the game with a header in the box, finishing off a free kick from Kevin Molino.

The Soca Warriors had a big chance to win the game in the 86th minute. They were awarded a penalty kick, but Mondy Prunier sent the shot over the goal, and the match stayed tied.

Both teams picked up their first point of the tournament with the draw.

Houston Dynamo FC Falls 3-1 to CF Montréal at Home

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

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 14, 2025)  The Houston Dynamo FC lost 3-1 to CF Montréal at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night, despite a strong effort from the team. The game showcased some big moments, including a goal from midfielder Ondřej Lingr and a milestone for midfielder Nico Lodeiro.

Montréal struck first in the 30th minute when Prince Owusu scored with a right-footed shot. Just two minutes later, Owusu added another goal with a header, putting the Dynamo in a tough spot. In the 54th minute, Jalen Neal made it 3-0 for Montréal with a header from a set piece.

Houston fought back in the 64th minute when Lodeiro sent a perfect pass to Lingr, who headed the ball into the net for his third goal of the season. This assist was Lodeiro’s 92nd in MLS history, ranking him 10th all-time in the league. Defender Franco Escobar also celebrated his 150th MLS regular-season game after coming on at halftime.

The Dynamo had other chances to score. Early in the match, forward Ezequiel Ponce nearly scored with a powerful header that went just over the bar. Later, midfielder Sebastian Kowalczyk forced a save from Montréal’s goalkeeper with a sharp shot. In the 67th minute, Lingr and Escobar almost teamed up for another goal, but Escobar’s header hit the post and was cleared away.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond made two big saves, including a quick reaction stop in the 76th minute. Despite the loss, the Dynamo showed fight. They’ll look to bounce back when they face Minnesota United FC on June 25 at Allianz Field

Houston Dash rally falls short against San Diego Wave FC

Credit: Houston Dash

Story by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 13, 2025) The Houston Dash fought hard but lost 3-2 to San Diego Wave FC on at Shell Energy Stadium. The match was part of the team’s annual Pride Night and marked their final home game before the league break.

San Diego struck first, scoring in the 17th minute after a loose ball was finished by Kenza Dali. The Wave added a second goal in the 36th minute when Hanna Lundkvist’s cross found Adriana Leon. In the 51st minute, Delphine Cascarino sent in a cross that María Sánchez finished, giving San Diego a 3-0 lead.

Houston didn’t give up. In the 61st minute, Katy native Bárbara Olivieri took a free kick, made space, and scored a beautiful goal from outside the box—her second of the season.

Seven minutes later, Yazmeen Ryan scored her first goal of the year. After winning a battle for the ball at midfield, she dribbled into the box and fired a shot into the top corner of the net.

Goalkeeper Abby Smith kept the Dash in the game with seven saves, including two early stops in the first half.

The Dash hit the road next week to face the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, June 21. They return home on July 8 to host Rayadas de Monterrey in a friendly match.

CC Calallen takes UIL state baseball title over Pleasant Grove

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

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

ROUND ROCK, TEXAS (June 6, 2925) The Calallen Wildcats have ended a 17-year wait by winning the UIL 4A Division I State Baseball Championship. On Friday, they defeated Texarkana Pleasant Grove 5–3 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. This victory marks Calallen's fourth state title in school history.

Junior pitcher Drayton Mitchell (shown above holding plaque) played a key role, earning MVP honors. He pitched over five innings, striking out six batters and allowing only three runs. Mitchell also contributed offensively with two hits. "I couldn't have done it without my team," Mitchell said. "We worked every day, and this was our goal."

Senior Cody Andrade came in as a relief pitcher and closed the game with 1.2 innings, striking out five batters and giving up just one hit. "I felt the groove going," Andrade said. "My defense has my back like always."

The Wildcats trailed early but took the lead in the fifth inning when senior Chase Lynch hit a go-ahead RBI single. "I live for the big spots," Lynch said. "Everyone supports me to go and get the big knock.

Head coach Steve Chapman praised his team's effort, saying, "They play really hard, they're talented, and they have a never-say-die attitude."