HOUSTON (June 26, 2025) – Houston Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Pedro Cruz has been selected to participate in the third edition of Goalie Wars at the 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, presented by AT&T on Tuesday, July 22, the league announced today.
The 2025 MLS All-Stars Skills Challenge will take place at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas and will be available to watch for free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Tickets for the event are also available HERE.
Cruz is one of four MLS NEXT Pro goalkeepers participating in the unique single-elimination tournament, where goalkeepers face off head-to-head, attempting to score on their opponent by throwing, kicking or drop-kicking the ball while protecting their own goal. Each round lasts :90 seconds and the player with the most goals in each round wins. New this year, each goalie can play one “Bonus Ball” per round, worth two points instead of one if scored. The winners of two semifinal rounds will meet in the final to determine the 2025 Goalie Wars champion and take home the coveted championship belt.
The other goalie participants are Adisa de Rosario (Toronto FC II), Carlos Mercado (Orlando City B) and Eldin Jakupović (Chattanooga FC).
Cruz has made 12 starts for Dynamo Dos this season, registering 53 saves (third most in MLS NEXT Pro) and posting a 76.8 save percentage. Notably, Cruz was named the MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month for April, helping lead the team to a three-game unbeaten streak. Over those matches, the young goalkeeper recorded 14 saves, posted an 87.5 save percentage and allowed only two goals. He also helped the team earn their first clean sheet of the season behind six saves in a 1-0 victory over LAFC2 on April 6.
The Brazilian made his Dynamo Dos debut in the team’s home opener against Sporting Kansas City II on March 8, kicking off his MLSNP career with six saves. The shot stopper recorded eight saves in a 1-1 road draw versus in-state rivals Austin FC II on May 30 and rose to the occasion in the penalty shootout by making two crucial saves to help the team secure the two points. A week later, Cruz came up big again in another penalty shootout against Kansas City II, delivering another key save to help the team claim the extra point and secure their third shootout victory of the season.
Cruz has also been called up to the first team twice on short-term loans this season for matches versus LAFC and the Portland Timbers, where he was available on the bench.
The 21-year-old joined Dynamo 2 on a full transfer ahead of the 2025 season from Futebol Clube Ska Brasil, where he spent two seasons with Ska Brasil and on loan with Brazilian Séria A side Esporte Clube Bahia.
Dynamo 2 continue their four-match road stretch at St. Louis CITY2 on Saturday, June 28, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the match live via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
