Houston Dynamo FC forward Corey Baird scored a hat trick as the home side eliminated the Minnesota United FC from the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round of 16. By the time regulation had ended, not only had Houston avenged its 1-0 loss to Minnesota six days ago but they recorded their third consecutive Open Cup clean sheet with a 4-0 win.
What a chip from Corey Baird! ????????????#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/6oqS9a1swU
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) May 24, 2023
The Houston Dynamo’s Brooklyn Raines shot on frame six minutes in set the tone for the home team. Houston got on the board just past the half hour mark on a penalty conversion by Baird. A handball inside the 18 yard box marked the beginning of a monumental moment for the 27 year old.
Houston went up a man as halftime neared when Minnesota midfielder Kevin Arriega was sent to an early shower on card accumulation. With the man advantage, the Dynamo displayed patience and pise picking their moments to be the most opportune.
Aliyu with his ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ????????????????????????!????#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/FKCjOoPpVa
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) May 24, 2023
Amine Bassi, who had not been expected to play, threaded the needle to Baird who chipped home his second goal in the 62nd minute. Eleven minutes later, Ibrahim Aliyu received a ball from Baird in the 79th minute and put away the third marker of the night for Houston.
As the game came to a close, Aliyu returned the favor as he found the forward in front of the net with seconds to play in regulation. Baird finished off the hat trick matching his entire output as a member of the Houston Dynamo over the past 22 months.
The hat trick was the first ever scored by a Houston Dynamo player in the US Open Cup
Corey Baird with his 3rd of the night!????????#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/auC1Z580GK
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) May 24, 2023
Houston will play on the road in the next round as they await the winner of the Austin FC/Chicago Fire match to determine whom they will play in the Quarterfinals.
