Cruz Control: The Rise of Houston Dynamo 2's Brazilian Wall

When most of the world thinks of Brazilian football, a few things come to mind: joga bonito, five World Cup titles, and those iconic yellow jerseys.

But one of the most underrated aspects of Brazil’s footballing legacy?

The goalkeepers.

From Cláudio Taffarel and Dida to Júlio César and current stars like Alisson and Ederson, Brazil has built a rich tradition of elite shot-stoppers.

And now, MLS NEXT Pro has its own Brazilian wall making waves: Pedro Cruz, the 20-year-old Houston Dynamo 2 standout who’s ready to take the MLS NEXT Pro Goalie Wars championship belt during the 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge.

H-Town Takeover

Pedro Cruz joined Dynamo 2 from Brazil’s Futebol Clube Ska Brasil ahead of the 2025 season, and has wasted no time making his presence felt.

Through his first 15 starts, Cruz has posted three clean sheets, made 70 saves (only 1 behind fellow Goalie Wars competitor Chattanooga FC's Eldin Jakupović), and boasts a save percentage of over 78%, helping lead Dynamo Dos above the playoff line as one of the league’s best defensive teams.

His breakout moment came during a road game on May 30, when Cruz delivered a stunning performance against Austin FC II, making seven saves, two shootout stops, and a fiery “show-the-back-of-the-jersey” celebration to a stunned Parmer Field crowd.

It was the type of performance that might just get you noticed for an event like Goalie Wars, and sure enough, Cruz had already been eyeing the event.

“A week before I got the invitation to Goalie Wars, I was watching how the games worked, watching past champions, and I thought, ‘I could be there.’ I had been working hard, and then a week later [Houston Dynamo 2 head coach] Marcelo [Santos] and Pat Onstad called me in and told me I had been selected.”

But the young shot stopper was quick to point out that even though it’s an individual achievement to participate, it was a total group effort to get there.

“I was so happy and proud. But it’s not just my achievement. My teammates, my coaches, especially Ryan [Thompson] and Marcelo, helped me get here. Without them, I wouldn’t be at this level.”

Family Is Everything

Before landing in the Space City, Pedro Cruz went on loan to Brazilian Série A side Esporte Clube Bahia, where he made his senior team debut against Botafogo-PB in a Copa do Nordeste match in 2024.

“That time at Bahia was very meaningful for me,” Cruz explained. “I had great coaches, José Carlos, Duda, and even Rogério Ceni. He’s a World Cup winner, a legend, and he helped me improve my style of play, especially my technique.”

Cruz remembers Bahia not just for the football, but for the relationships he built.

“I’ve had a lot of great coaches who became friends. If I message them today, they’ll respond, and it’ll be a good conversation. That means a lot to me.”

Thanks to his time at Bahia, Cruz got an offer to play in Sweden. It wasn’t the right match for him or his family, however.

“My family means everything to me, and without them, I wouldn’t be here today,” he said. “They support me a lot. When the Sweden offer came, they were kind of down about it, and it ended up not happening. It wasn’t God’s timing, so I stayed at Bahia and kept working. Then the opportunity to come [to Houston] arrived, and by that point, we were all more prepared.”

He credits Marcelo Santos for selling him on the vision of the Houston organization and the entire staff, down to the team’s translator, for helping him feel at home from the start.

Now, Cruz finds himself playing in the same league as one of his childhood idols: Real Monarchs’ goalkeeper Rafael Cabral.

“He’s always been a reference for me,” Cruz said. “When I was little, I followed Santos closely and watched a lot of Rafael Cabral’s games. He’s a goalkeeper I really looked up to.”

Now competing in the same league as the goalkeepers he once looked up to, Cruz is focused on building a legacy of his own.

Legacy In The Making

Goalie Wars isn’t just a showcase of talent. For Cruz, it’s a celebration of the work that got him here and a reflection of the people who helped him along the way.

When asked about his success so far in MLS NEXT Pro, he’s quick to credit his teammates, coaches, and club staff for pushing him and making the opportunity possible.

“Without all of them, I don’t think I’d be here,” Cruz said. “This means a lot to me because it’s recognition of my work, of everything I’ve done this season so far.”

Though the season still has plenty left to offer, Goalie Wars serves as validation for the countless hours he’s put in on the training ground over the years.

“Of course, we know the season is only halfway through, so it’s not over yet,” he added. “But I was very happy and pleased because this is a reward for my daily work.”

For Cruz, Goalie Wars is more than just a competition. It’s a symbol of how far he's come and how much further he plans to go.

Catch Pedro Cruz competing in Goalie Wars at the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T on Tuesday, July 22, streaming live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.