FC Dallas vs Mazatlán Prediction (03.08.2023)

With Major League Soccer and Liga MX on hold, we continue to roll through the enthralling Leagues Cup tournament featuring the very best from both Mexico and the United States. Today, we’ll be looking at an encounter in the round of 32 stage as Mazatlan and FC Dallas prepare to collide.

After finishing bottom of the table in the Clausura last season, it became abundantly clear that things needed to change for Mazatlan. The fact they’ve been able to reach the knockouts here is a sign that they are perhaps heading in the right direction, but as we know, looks can be deceiving at this level, and a win here is really what they need if they want to convince the doubters that they’ve changed.

Mazatlan set themselves up really nicely in their opener with a 3-1 win over Austin, and then after earning a 1-1 draw with Juarez, they surprised many again with a 4-2 victory on penalties to take them through.

They’ve managed to capture the Supporters’ Shield in their history, but FC Dallas have yet to win the MLS Cup - coming closest back in 2010, when they finished as runners-up. They’re looking solid enough so far this season in their attempt to finally reach new heights, but one of their big problems continues to be their inability to really kill a game off, which is important in a league with so many late goals.

Dallas scratched and clawed to earn a 2-2 draw with Charlotte in their opener, before falling short in a dominant 4-1 penalty shootout defeat. Thankfully for them, the game against Necaxa was far less stressful, as they eased their way to a 3-0 success.

Momentum can take you a long way in this game and Mazatlan have certainly proven themselves to be more than just fodder, which many took them for at the start of the competition. In our view, though, the gulf in quality will become evident quite quickly, leading to a Dallas win.