By Victor Araiza
The Houston Dynamo and Mazatlán FC meet for the first time, with both teams setting their sights on three points as the Cañoneros dock on the Gulf Coast for a clash at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
- First-ever meeting
- Record at Leagues Cup: Houston Dynamo (3-5), Mazatlán FC (6-3)
LAST FIVE GAMES:
- Houston Dynamo:
- 1 Win, 1 Draw, 3 Losses
- Mazatlán FC:
- 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 2 Losses
MAIN STORYLINES:
- Houston Dynamo seek to rebound from a 4-1 defat to Tigres UANL
- Argentine forward Ezequiel Ponce could be back for Houston, new signing Antônio Carlos is eligible to debut as well
- Mazatlán FC is coming off a thrilling win on PKs (11-10) at LAFC; improved to 3-1 in Leagues Cup penalty shootouts
- Fábio Gomes will seek to add to his tally after scoring his first goal for Mazatlán in his 2nd appearance
- Alberto Herrera and Jordan Sierra, the club’s two scorers in the Apertura 2025, did not play against LAFC and could return to the starting XI
KEY FACTORS:
- Houston Dynamo:
- Houston will look to get star midfielder Jack McGlynn more involved
- Brooklyn Raines delivered his first Leagues Cup assist and will seek to help build more opportunities for Houston Dynamo
- Ondřej Lingr scored his first goal after a six-match drought and could start building a rhythm
- Mazatlán FC:
- New manager Robert Siboldi has the club to a 1-1-1 start in Apertura 2025 and a win on PKs in Leagues Cup
- Sebastián Fierro was one of the most accurate players in Tuesday’s match with 62 completed passes
- Ricardo Rodríguez had three saves in regulation and one blocked penalty in the shootout against LAFC
WHAT TO EXPECT?
The Houston Dynamo look to rebound from a loss to Tigres UANL when former Tigres manager Robert Siboldi comes to town with a renewed Mazatlán FC group that took two points from its meeting with LAFC.
Despite taking positives from hanging with a talented Tigres squad for the better part of their opening bout, the Dynamo will look to collect their first set of points to help their hopes of advancing to the Knockout Round.
One of the keys for Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen is to unlock the best of his star midfielder, and U.S. men’s national team midfielder, Jack McGlynn.
“Jack needs to be involved in the game,” said Olsen. “That wasn't some crazy, tactical shift [against Tigres]. It was still going out and playing the way we play but just taking some reins off him a little and allowing him to find the game.”
“Frankly, he’s too good to not touch the ball more,” he added.
Houston added a reinforcement on Wednesday in Brazilian defender Antônio Carlos from Fluminense, and a former MLS player with Orlando City. Carlos is eligible to make his debut on Friday night.
For Mazatlán, summer signing Fábio Gomes is already paying dividends after collecting his first goal with the Mexican club.
The Cañoneros fared well in their opening encounter to draw with LAFC and outlast the recent FIFA Club World Cup participants on PKs, 11-10, in Los Angeles.
Siboldi, who was appointed in May, is off to a 1-1-1 start in league play and seeks to use the Leagues Cup to continue improving the chemistry with his new team.
“You meet this group that, first of all, are great persons, and second, the dedication and commitment they have to receive information and try,” Siboldi said after Tuesday’s match. “That's what I really liked. They tried, despite the opponent's game, and we, despite everything, knew how to counter and compete, and that's what we want. So, that's why I leave happy.”
