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.

Houston Dynamo FC falls to Tigres UANL 4-1 in Leagues Cup opener

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 (July 29, 2025)  Houston Dynamo FC kicked off their 2025 Leagues Cup campaign with a 4-1 loss against Liga MX side Tigres UANL on Tuesday night at a sold-out Shell Energy Stadium. A record-breaking crowd of 21,792 fans, the largest attendance of the season, filled the stands, creating an electric atmosphere despite the loss. Midfielder Ondřej Lingr provided a brief spark with a second-half equalizer, but Tigres’ attacking prowess ultimately proved too much for the Dynamo.

The opening 45 minutes saw Tigres dominate possession while Houston countered with moments of danger. The Dynamo generated six shot attempts, matching Tigres’ intensity if not their control. Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond was pivotal early on, making two crucial saves in the final 10 minutes of the half. In the 36th minute, Tigres’ Diego Lainez set up Edgar Lopez for a close-range shot, but Bond’s quick reflexes kept the score level.

However, Tigres broke through in the third minute of first-half stoppage time. Juan Brunetta’s long diagonal ball found Ángel Correa, who controlled it expertly, turned, and fired a right-footed shot from just outside the box past a diving Bond to give Tigres a 1-0 lead at the break.

Houston responded immediately after halftime. In the 47th minute, Brooklyn Raines intercepted a misplaced Tigres pass in midfield, took two touches, and played a precise through ball to Lingr. The midfielder raced into the box and slotted a near-post shot past Guzman Nahuel to level the score at 1-1.

The momentum shift was short-lived, as defensive errors cost Houston dearly. In the 63rd minute, a misplaced pass from Bond was intercepted by Diego Lainez, who cut inside and rifled a left-footed shot to restore Tigres’ lead at 2-1. Seven minutes later, another defensive miscue allowed Tigres to extend their advantage. Artur’s underhit back pass to Bond left Correa with an open run at goal, and the forward deftly chipped the keeper for a 3-1 score.

Tigres sealed the victory in the closing stages when Jonathan Ozziel Herrera added a fourth goal, finalizing the 4-1 score.

Houston Dynamo FC, Charlotte FC to meet in Leagues Cup

By Chris Price

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 6, 2023) Houston Dynamo FC will hit the pitch at Shell Energy Stadium on Monday, August 7 to face Charlotte FC in the Leagues Cup Round of 16.

Houston advanced to the Round of 16 with 5-3 win over C.F. Pachuca at Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday, August 2. The winner of Monday's match will face the winner of the FC Dallas vs. Inter Miami CF, which is scheduled for at 7:30 p.m. start on Sunday.

Tigres down Club America on penalty kicks; advance to Leagues Cup final

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 20, 2019) In a match that saw two own goals, Tigres UNAL downed Club America 2-2 on penalties. Tigers outscored America 5-3 to take the match and advance to the final of the 2019 Leagues Cup.

It did not take long for Tigres to get on the scoreboard, due to an own goal by Club America defender Paul Aguilar on the 14th minute. Club America answered with a penalty kick goal by Andres Ibarguen to tie the score at one-all at the half. The Columbian secured a brace when he gave America the lead in the 83rd minute. Tigres tied the score in added time of the second half on an own goal by Bruno Valdez; sending the game to penalties. Tigres will face Cruz Azul in the Cup final. La Maquina advanced to the final by downing the LA Galaxy 2-1. 

The 2019 Leagues Cup is the inaugural edition of Leagues Cup, a club competition featuring four clubs from Major League Soccer and Liga MX in an eight-team single-elimination tournament hosted in the United States. It began on July 23, 2019, with the first set of quarterfinals, and will culminate in a final match played in Las Vegas on September 18, 2019.