Pachuca steals the win in final match of Houston’s disappointing Leagues Cup run
A not-so-vibrant night awaited the few fans attending Shell Energy Stadium as the Houston Dynamo hosted C.F. Pachuca. The lack of efficiency in the final third throughout Phase One punished an MLS side that had not recorded a single point in the Leagues Cup prior to the closing clash of the initial round.
Heart and pride are the sole reasons why the Dynamo players defended the badge against Pachuca. Although the already-eliminated team prioritized the upcoming matches of the regular season, the need to end a negative streak and avoid another home loss compelled Houston to play with grit and a bit of anger. However, the repetition of defensive mistakes and an uncreative offense is a deadly combination that has accompanied Houston throughout the 2025 campaign.
Liga MX side C.F. Pachuca not only capitalized on Houston’s defensive errors but created constant threats through vertical attacks that only required a few passes to reach the final third. Notably, Pachuca’s first goal of the night, scored by Luis Quiñones in the first half, created an advantage for the Mexican team that controlled the tempo of the game with ease until the final minutes of the match.
Houston’s pride and the substitutions made by Ben Olsen allowed the home side to place more numbers in the final third, leading to a one-on-one situation that forced Pachuca goalkeeper Carlos Moreno to commit a penalty. Amine Bassi equalized the match with less than ten minutes remaining; however, Pachuca’s roster depth inevitably impacted the match as they responded with a quick, unmarked shot inside the box to gain back the lead in the 85th minute. Houston’s Leagues Cup campaign comes to an end with zero points in the books and eight conceded goals.
The biggest challenge for Ben Olsen is just up the road, as the team will attempt to find a playoff spot that seems to be too far away from reality but remains mathematically possible.
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