Orlando and Charlotte Triumph in Leagues Cup Shootouts

Orlando City wins penalty shootout in Leagues Cup match against Houston Dynamo.

In a thrilling Leagues Cup match, Pedro Gallese showcased his goalkeeping prowess by saving Hector Herrera's penalty kick attempt, leading Orlando City to a 5-4 victory over the Houston Dynamo in a tiebreaker. The contest took place in the South 2 Group, which also features Mexico's Santos Laguna. This month-long tournament brings together all 47 teams from MLS and Liga MX, with the winner of penalty shootouts earning two standings points and the loser receiving one.

The match kicked off with Amine Bassi converting a penalty kick for Houston in first-half stoppage time, giving them the lead. However, Orlando wasted no time in responding, as just 32 seconds into the second half, Duncan McGuire took advantage of a mistake by Dynamo goalie Andrew Tarbell and slotted the ball into the empty net.

The game eventually went into a penalty shootout, and after Herrera's miss, both teams converted their subsequent attempts. It was Facundo Torres who ultimately secured the victory for Orlando with a successful penalty kick.

In another Leagues Cup encounter, Charlotte FC faced off against FC Dallas in the South 4 Group. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, but it was Charlotte who emerged victorious in the penalty shootout, winning 4-1. Ben Bender's sliding volley, assisted by Ashley Westwood, equalized for Charlotte in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time. In the shootout, Charlotte's goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina made crucial saves against Sebastian Lletget and Marco Farfan, while Patrick Agyemang sealed the win with the final penalty kick.

Mazatlan made history as the first Mexican team to secure a Leagues Cup victory, defeating Austin in a South 1 Group match held in Austin, Texas. David Colman opened the scoring for Mazatlan in the 49th minute, only to be equalized by Austin's Diego Fagundez from the penalty spot in the 65th minute. However, goals from Andres Montano and Eduard Bello in quick succession ensured Mazatlan's triumph, with Bello sealing the outcome in the 88th minute.

Overall, these Leagues Cup matches provided exhilarating moments and showcased the competitive spirit of teams from both MLS and Liga MX. The tournament continues to captivate fans with its thrilling encounters and unpredictable outcomes.