Colombian forward Jhon Cordoba (l.) scored for the second match in two days for Mainz.
Colombian forward Jhon Cordoba (l.) scored for the second match in two days for Mainz.

Mainz victorious in Colorado Cup

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1. FSV Mainz 05's pre-season success story in Colorado continued on Wednesday as they defeated Mexican side Leones Negros 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to win the Colorado Cup.

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Fresh from claiming the Freedom Cup after a 6-0 victory against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks on Tuesday, Mainz began the game strongly, with midfielder Jairo feeding Jhon Cordoba to open the scoring.

After the Mexicans drew level through defender Christian Lopez, the 05ers stepped up the pressure and were unlucky not to retake the lead after the interval with Pablo de Blasis, Yoshinori Muto and the impressive Gerrit Holtmann all going close.

With no extra time played, the match went to penalties at the end of the 90 minutes. Muto and Christian Clemens missed their spot-kicks, but they were rescued by goalkeeper Jannik Huth, who kept out another penalty after Los Leones Negros had missed two themselves. It was left to Holtmann to sink the decisive effort from 12 yards and seal a 4-3 win for the Bundesliga side.

Martin Schmidt's charges return home from the USA on 16 July, when they will continue their preparation for the start of the new domestic season. Their campaign begins on 21 August with a trip to SpVgg Unterhaching in the first round of the DFB Cup, before a mouthwatering visit to Borussia Dortmund on Bundesliga Matchday 1.

Recap what the players have been up to since arriving in the States on 9 July.