HOUSTON (Aug. 4, 2025) – Houston Dynamo FC conclude Phase One of Leagues Cup 2025 versus Liga MX side C.F. Pachuca on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Shell Energy Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT, and fans can secure their tickets HERE.
The official Concacaf-sanctioned competition features a new and enhanced format, which will showcase interleague matches between MLS and Liga MX clubs through the quarterfinals. 36 clubs, including 18 clubs from the Liga MX and 18 clubs from MLS will participate, and the tournament will be played in two rounds: Phase One and the Knockout Rounds.
During Phase One, each club will play three matches against three opponents from the opposite league. Those results will earn points in a league-specific table against teams from their own league. The top four clubs from each of the MLS and Liga MX tables will advance to the quarterfinals. In Phase One, there are no draws, and games will go directly to a penalty shootout if they end in a tie. Teams are awarded points as follows:
- Regulation draw: 1 point for both teams
- Penalty shootout win: 2 points
- Regulation win: 3 points
Now in its third edition, the tournament will again determine three qualifiers for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, where the winner will represent the region at FIFA international club competitions.
The clubs have a storied history, meeting in eight competitive matches, with Pachuca and Houston tied at four wins apiece. The two have met four times (two aggregate matchups) in the CONCACAF Champions League, including Pachuca edging out Houston 5-4 in the 2007 semifinals. The teams also met three times in the North American Superliga, including the Dynamo getting the better of Pachuca 2-0 in the 2008 semifinals. The most recent clash came in the Round of 32 of Leagues Cup 2023, where Houston advanced to the Round of 16 by defeating Pachuca 5-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw. Former goalkeeper Steve Clark made a key save, and former midfielder Luís Caicedo converted the winning penalty. It marked the first meeting between the sides since 2010, when Houston beat Pachuca 2-1 in the CONCACAF North American SuperLiga.
The Dynamo reached the knockout stage in last year’s Leagues Cup, winning their group over Real Salt Lake and Atlas FC before falling to Deportivo Toluca FC in a penalty shootout at Shell Energy Stadium. Highlights included the debut of winger Lawrence Ennali and Ezequiel Ponce’s first goal for the club against Toluca.
Last week, the Dynamo signed central defender Antônio Carlos from Brazilian club Fluminense FC, as the Secondary Transfer Window opened July 24. The 32-year-old made 105 appearances in all competitions with Orlando City SC, while scoring four goals and adding five assists, and playing a key role in their 2022 U.S. Open Cup title run. Carlos also had stints with several Brazilian clubs, including SE Palmeiras, where he accumulated 56 appearances and helped the team to the 2018 Série A league title.
Houston fell 2-0 to Liga MX side Mazatlán F.C. in their second match of the tournament at Shell Energy Stadium. The Dynamo opened the competition with a 4-1 loss to Tigres UANL, with midfielder Ondřej Lingr scoring the team’s lone goal in the 47th minute. Despite those results, Houston maintains a strong 11-7-4 regulation record against Liga MX teams at home.
Pachuca enters the match following a 4-2 penalty shootout loss to LAFC after a 1-1 draw in regulation. Elías Montie scored Pachuca’s lone goal in the 32nd minute, three minutes after LAFC was reduced to 10 men. Pachuca was also reduced to 10 players in the 83rd minute following a foul in the opposing box by Jhonder Cádiz. The Mexican side kicked off their Leagues Cup 2025 campaign with a 3-2 win over San Diego FC.
At the Liga MX Apertura 2025 break, Pachuca sits first in the standings after three matches, remaining undefeated at home, including a recent 1-0 home victory over Mazatlán FC. In their last campaign, the club finished eighth in the Liga MX Clausura 2025 standings.
Houston returns to MLS action on Saturday, Aug. 9, traveling to face Austin FC at Q2 Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT, and Dynamo fans can stream the match via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
