End-to-End Action Sets the Stage in Houston
It’s tough to script a football match with more drama than the one between Club América and Minnesota United in the Leagues Cup group stage at Shell Energy Stadium. Fans were treated to a high-octane encounter that never truly settled, ending 3-3 after regular time before América edged it 8-7 in a pressure-packed penalty shootout.
Minnesota United didn’t hold back from the first whistle and showed real intent. Tani Oluwaseyi drew first blood in the 17th minute, finishing off a sweeping attacking move that caught América’s defense flat-footed. América, one of Mexico’s most decorated clubs, answered in scrappy fashion: a driven cross bounced off Minnesota defender Michael Boxall and past his own goalkeeper in the 27th minute. But before América could find their rhythm, Bongokuhle Hlongwane restored Minnesota’s advantage just four minutes later—capitalizing on hesitation at the back to slide home his team’s second goal.
Halftime brought little relief for either side, with Minnesota holding a slender 2-1 lead and both teams buzzing with energy. The second half saw América push back with intent. Raúl Zúñiga, the Colombian striker, leveled things up in the 53rd minute after shrugging off a defender and blasting the ball past the Minnesota keeper. Yet Minnesota weren’t done; Carlos Harvey’s strike in the 65th put them 3-2 up, raising hopes of a statement win over the giants from Mexico.
Late Drama and Penalty Shootout Nerves
Endgame chaos is becoming something of a trademark for América. In the dying minutes, Minnesota had a golden opportunity to seal the result when Joaquín Pereyra stepped up to the spot in the 89th, but América’s keeper stood tall, guessing the right way and batting the penalty aside. That miss would haunt Minnesota almost immediately.
Just as extra time seemed certain, América came roaring back, with substitute Sebastián Cáceres latching onto a Brian Rodríguez pass to fire home the equalizer in the 91st minute. The stadium erupted, the momentum swinging wildly again as both sets of fans watched nervously.
So, to penalties. These always bring a unique edge—players, fans, even coaches living and dying with every kick. América held their nerve with remarkable efficiency, slotting home eight out of nine attempts. Minnesota refused to go quietly, matching their rivals step-for-step until the final, crucial miss handed América the win. The shootout tension left everyone breathless and gave América a vital extra point in the Leagues Cup group tally. Minnesota, however, walked away with a hard-earned point by virtue of the draw, which could prove crucial as the group stage plays out.
Joaquín Pereyra’s missed penalty will sting, yet his creativity and attacking vision gave Minnesota chance after chance. On the América side, the impact of substitutes like Cáceres and Rodríguez underlined the squad’s depth. For Minnesota, with a defining test against Atlético San Luis on the horizon, the lessons from this memorable night will be front of mind.