When he made the move back across the pond in 2022 to join MLS side Houston Dynamo, Mexican midfielder Héctor Herrera called time on an impressive decade-long stint in Europe. Having won the league title in Portugal and Spain during stints at Porto and Atlético Madrid, he was also part of the Mexico side that won the 2015 Gold Cup.
The 33-year-old has been a regular in the Texas-based side’s lineups this season, having been named captain, and has scored three times. The Orange Crush currently sit in 9th place in the Western Conference, and are on track for a spot in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, having missed out last year.
At this summer’s Leagues Cup, though, Herrera already has amends to make. The midfielder saw his spot-kick parried away in his team’s penalty shoot-out against **Orlando City SC**, in their opening South 2 game. The 2012 Olympic gold medallist would be the only taker to fail to find the back of the net, with his team eventually losing the shoot-out and coming away with just the one point.
On Tuesday, the veteran faces a familiar foe in Club Santos Laguna - who are none other than the last Mexican team he scored against before his move to Europe.
Having come through the youth ranks at Club Pachuca, Herrera played two full seasons in LIGA MX with the senior side. His second campaign in the Mexican top flight saw him score twice - once against Atlante in January of 2013, and the second a month later againstSantos Laguna.
With his current team set to host the Laguneros on Tuesday evening, Herrera will be hoping for a timely goal to help his team into the Leagues Cup knockout stages - and see his own career come full circle.
