Former Houston Dynamo star midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla scored in the 87th minute to secure a crucial 1-1 draw for Liga MX side Pumas UNAM against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday night.
The Panamanian midfielder, who joined Pumas in January 2025 from Houston Dynamo for a club-record fee, Continues to demonstrate why he was considered as one of the MLS‘s best young talents. Capitalizing on a well-placed corner from Leonardo Suárez, Carrasquilla executed a precise half-volley to find the back of the net, marking his first goal for the Mexican side .
“I’m very happy because it’s my first goal with this beautiful jersey,” Carrasquilla said post-match. “I’ve been searching for it for several matches, and for it to come at such an important moment makes me very happy.”
Carrasquilla’s journey to Pumas has been one of steady ascent, marked by his impactful tenure with the Houston Dynamo beginning in 2021. Over 116 appearances, he tallied 11 goals and 22 assists, emerging as a creative engine in midfield. He played a key role in the club’s 2023 U.S. Open Cup triumph and capped off his time in MLS by being named CONCACAF Player of the Year in 2024—a testament to his growing influence on the regional stage.
At 26 years old, Carrasquilla is not only the pride of Panama but also a shining example of MLS’s growing reputation for developing young talent. With standout performances for his national team and now a key role at one of Mexico’s biggest clubs, he has firmly established himself as one of CONCACAF’s top midfielders. The winner of this quarterfinal will go on to face either Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami or Los Angeles FC in the semifinals.
FBD| T.T. DesRois
