Atlas FC and Houston Dynamo FC took each other to the limit in a 1-0 contest that gave the Guadalajara club its first three points of the tournament on Saturday, at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.
Atlas’ victory on Matchday 2 of the 2024 Leagues Cup was LIGA MX’s first victory in the tournament — which featured five total matches, but only two LIGA MX clubs on Matchday 1.
Rivaldo Lozano struck a beauty from outside the box in the 83rd minute to end what had been a goalkeeping showcase from Houston’s Steve Clark and Atlas’ Camilo Vargas. The two shot-stoppers combined for 13 saves, but penalties would not be needed on this night.
Ezequiel Ponce had his first attempt as a Dynamo player in the 4th minute, getting his first start in front of the home fans since joining the team this summer as its prized summer signing.
Clark made a save in the 10th minute to deny a Jhon Murillo strike inside his penalty area. The Venezuelan tried to find the perfect shot inside the box but his attempt met the chest of the Dynamo goalkeeper.
Adalberto Carrasquilla exited the match in the 25th minute due to injury, leaving Dynamo FC without one of its top midfielders for the remainder of the match.
Jeremy Márquez struck from outside the box in the 45th minute but Clark was there to avert any danger and keep the score even through the halftime whistle.
Amine Bassi struck with venom as things resumed in the 46th minute but Camilo Vargas swatted that ball away from his goal in timely fashion.
Vargas nearly earned an assist in the 50th by finding Murillo in transition, but the attempt was just wide as the Venezuelan winger had Artur on his heels.
Hector Herrera quickly snapped a shot off in the 52nd but couldn’t catch Vargas off guard, as the Colombian blocked the attempt and quickly secured the ball as chants of “Camilo! Camilo!” rang shortly after from Atlas fans in Houston.
Eduardo Aguirre swung into the box to shoot in the 78th but was denied by Clark as neither team would budge to give up the first goal.
Lawrence Ennali, who came on for his Dynamo debut, had a menacing pace through the left side in the 80th but ran into Vargas.
A team finally broke through when Rivaldo Lozano struck his beauty from outside the box in the 83rd for what ended as the game-winning goal.
Herrera struck from midfield in stoppage time but was again denied by Vargas. The Dynamo captain met the final whistle on a final desperation shot from half-field as the Jalisco side took the full three points.
