Dan Sousa

Dan Sousa is a veteran sports reporter old enough to have started out as a “print journalist”. His 35+ years of coverage for daily newspapers and the Associated Press includes NFL, NBA, NHL, golf, tennis and college sports, as well as being a beat reporter for D.C. United from 1996-98. His soccer highlights include leading his college fraternity to an indoor intramural title as goalkeeper and winning an championship as a coach at the Under-6 level back when you were still allowed to hand out trophy’s to winners.

2018 US Open Cup: Mauro Manotas of Houston Dynamo voted TheCup.us Player of the Tournament

October 19, 2018 by Dan Sousa

You can call Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas a lot of things.

You can call him hard working.

You can call him tenacious.

You can call him humble.

What you can’t call the young Colombian – no matter how much he has taken American soccer fans by surprise with his 2018 superlative MLS and Open Cup campaign – is an overnight sensation.

Manotas has been in Houston since 2015, fighting to make it onto the bench, and then finally forcing his way into the starting lineup this season.

Mauro Manotas of the Housotn Dynamo celebrates one of his two goals against the Philadelphia Union in the 2018 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Houston Dynamo

“I have been with this club for the last three years and I haven’t been able to be starting forward. By now, thank God, I have become a starting player,” said Manotas in an interview with the Dynamo in July translated from Spanish. “Now, I want to be a top goal scorer and on the team level, I want us to win the MLS Cup and the US Open Cup.”

Manotas will have to wait for that MLS Cup dream as the Dynamo were eliminated from the playoffs this season but he can check “top goalscorer” and “winning US Open Cup” off his to-do list.

Manotas spent the summer surging into the top 5 on the MLS scoring charts and almost single-handedly salvaging the Dynamo’s season by propelling the club to its first US Open Cup title with a Modern Era (1995-present) tying record six goals in four games, including two goals in the US Open Cup Final, a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Union.

For his record-breaking run, Manotas has been named the TheCup.us Player of the Tournament in a vote of the staff of TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters. Manotas ran away with the award, distancing himself from second place Alejandro Bedoya of the Philadelphia Union and third place Diego Rossi of Los Angeles FC.

“Like I’ve always said, when you pray with faith, God rewards you,” explained the ever humble Manotas after the US Open Cup trophy was hoisted at BBVA Compass Stadium back on Sept. 26. “Today, I give thanks to God. The team was spectacular. Thanks to God we were able to win.”

The 23-year-old striker put his mark on the title game early, scoring off a header in the fourth minute, tying the mark for the fastest goal in a championship game in the Modern Era. He followed up with a goal in the 26th minute, on an individual effort that will sure to be shown on the home scoreboard highlight reel for years to come.

The Open Cup celebration was the culmination of an incredible year for the wiry 6-footer who in a rainstorm still weighs under 160 pounds.

In the 2018 US Open Cup he:

Scored the game-winning goal in a Round of 16 1-0 win over Minnesota United FC
Scored two goals in a 4-2 win over defending US Open Cup champion Sporting KC in the Quarterfinals.
Added another goal against LAFC in a 3-3 thriller in the Semifinals that saw the Dynamo win 7-6 in spot kicks.
Ran away with the Golden Boot for the tournament with his two title game goals, giving him six total in 2018, tying a Modern Era single-tournament record.
He has tied the Modern Era record for scoring in four consecutive Open Cup contests.
He now has five game-winning goals in US Open Cup play, tying a Modern Era record.
He is the Dynamo’s all-time US Open Cup scoring leader with 10 goals, six more than the next best.
Only two MLS squad players (Kenny Cooper and Jaime Moreno, each with 13) have scored more goals than Manotas in US Open Cup play.

The achievements for Manotas aren’t just limited to the Open Cup competition as he has rewritten the Dynamo record books in his first full season as a starter:

He has 22 goals in all competitions this year, lapping Will Bruin’s previous club record of 16 with two matches left to play.
He has scored 16 MLS regular-season goals, eclipsing the club record of 14 set last year by Cubo Torres, whose departure thrusted Manotas into the spotlight.
At age 23 he is already the Houston franchise’s No. 5 all-time leading scorer with 31 goals in 94 games (61 starts).

You will be disappointed if you expect Manotas to now rest on his laurels.

“I have fought a lot to be the starting forward for this team,” said Manotas. “My mentality is to keep working hard, leave everything on the field, give my all for the team, to sweat for this team like I always do. People always value the fact that I don’t give up, that I am always running, fighting for the ball and scoring goals.”

Mauro Manotas of the Houston Dynamo heads in the first goal of the 2018 US Open Cup Final from his knees in a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Union. Photo: Houston Dynamo

Manotas has been helped by a close connection with Colombian coach Wilmer Cabrera, who Manotas calls “El Profe” or teacher.

2018’s amazing run may not have happened if the front office hadn’t stepped in and lend a helping hand to Manotas when he arrived in Southern Texas in 2015.

The young kid from Sabanalarga, Colombia was given a place to live but he lasted just two weeks on his own away from the support of his family and culture.

“When I arrived in Houston … I lived by myself for two weeks but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t live alone,” recalled Manotas. “I reached out to (Houston GM) Matt (Jordan) to find me a host family. And thank God he found them.”

That host family, bilingual Chavez family, became Manotas’ family away from home.

“He called my wife madre, mother. He’d call me Senor Ed,” said Ed Chavez, who works matchday security at BBVA outside of the Dynamo locker room. “Definitely an addition to the family – a son.”

Ed and Ingrid Chavez already had two teens and Manotas became their older surrogate sibling … the relationship so strong that Manotas stayed with the family through 2015 and then 2016 and then 2017 … finally, moving into his own apartment this summer.

“They helped me get adapted to the country, to the language, the culture, the food, everything,” said Manotas right before the big move. “I had a great time with the Chavez family but now it’s time for me to grow in that area of my life. I feel I’ve got a better grasp of the language now and I wanted to go out and be on my own.”

Manotas may be heading out on his own but will still be looking out for others first, it’s an attitude that was ingrained from his modest means upbringing in Colombia.

“My family is very humble, always thinking of others first,” Manotas said. “My dad always tells me that the team is first, second, third and fourth, and if there’s a fifth, then that’s for me.”

Thanks to that attitude the Houston Dynamo are 2018 US Open Cup champions and headed to the Concacaf Champions League next year. It will be another chance for Manotasto shine in the spotlight.

Past winners of TheCup.us Player of the Tournament
2017: Tim Melia (Sporting Kansas City)
2016: Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas)
2015: Krisztian Nemeth (Sporting Kansas City)
2014: Kenny Cooper (Seattle Sounders FC)
2013: Dwayne De Rosario (DC United)
2012: Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders FC)
2011: Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders FC)
2010: Nate Jaqua (Seattle Sounders FC)
2009: Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC)
2008: Chris Eylander (Seattle Sounders, USL)
2007: Pat Noonan (New England Revolution)
2006: Andy Herron (Chicago Fire)

2018 US Open Cup Final preview: Union, Dynamo each seeking first title

September 24, 2018 by Dan Sousa

MORE: Answer a US Open Cup trivia question for a chance to win a Philadelphia Union jersey or a Houston Dynamo scarf

Two Major League Soccer clubs headed in opposite directions collide in the championship game of the 105th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday, September 26 at 8 p.m. EST at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

Wednesday’s final, broadcast live on ESPN2 and on the Univision Deportes Network, will feature a first-time champion hoisting the cup, but the two teams have had radically different summers since the Union bested the Dynamo, 3-1, in a contentious league match at BBVA on July 21.

The Union have rolled to a 7-2-1 overall mark since that win in Houston, including taking 19 points in nine MLS matches to climb into the fifth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Just in the past week Philadelphia went on the road and stopped the Seattle Sounders’ nine-game winning streak with a 1-0 win and then on Sunday at home the Union, despite resting a half dozen regulars, knocked off Western Conference leader Sporting Kansas City 2-0. An interesting factoid is that the Sounders and Sporting Kansas City were the two teams that defeated the Union in their previous two US Open Cup Final appearances in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

What will be the result of tonight’s #USOC2018 Final between the @PhilaUnion and the @HoustonDynamo ? ?⚽️??

— TheCup.us (@usopencup) September 26, 2018

“We followed up what you could call our biggest win of the season in Seattle with an even bigger one,” said Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin, who added that his squad was “as confident as we could possibly be going into a final.”

Enter for a chance to win this Bethlehem Steel-inspired Philadelphia Union jersey (follow the link above)

The Dynamo, on the other hand, have gone 1-6-3 since they lost that July match, including taking just five points in nine MLS contests to all but eliminate Houston from postseason hopes. The Dynamo, despite surprisingly playing its normal starters, came away Saturday on the road at struggling Orlando City with a toothless 0-0 draw. It was the seventh time in the last 10 games that Dynamo scored one goal or less.

While the Dynamo may have the hopes of salvaging their 2018 campaign riding on becoming the first ever US Open Cup champion from South Texas, the Union are no strangers to the finals, having been runner-ups in 2014 and 2015. Philadelphia comes into the championship on a 14-game unbeaten streak in US Open Cup play, the second-longest such streak in the Modern Era (matches that go to penalty kicks are officially listed as a draw). This is Houston’s first Open Cup Final.

“Philly is a very good team with a lot of talent,” said Houston head coach Wilmer Cabrera in an interview with U.S. Soccer. “Last time they came here they beat us 3-1. Right there we have something to overcome, but every game is different. They are at a very good level right now and this is their third Open Cup Final in five years. Maybe that means that they’ll have a little more pressure on them to win it.”

#USOC2019 Qualifying Coverage:
* 2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule, results
* 2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
* 2019 US Open Cup qualifying: San Nicolas files protest after loss to Cal FC
* 2019 US Open Cup Qualifying: Second Round draw released

MORE COVERAGE:
* 2018 US Open Cup Final to air on ESPN channel for fourth year in a row
* Milwaukee’s Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title
* USSF finds “insufficient evidence” of racial abuse in Timbers-LAFC US Open Cup game
* Which PDL teams will qualify for 2019 US Open Cup?

US OPEN CUP HISTORY
* Five goals by Mike Noha of Ukrainian Nationals remains US Open Cup Final’s greatest feat
* 1983 US Open Cup Final: The first time Houston hosted US Soccer’s championship game
* Why Fall River Marksmen should be recognized as a 5-time US Open Cup champion
* US Soccer legend Walter Bahr leaves behind Hall of Fame legacy
* How amateurs Dallas Roma FC beat World Cup champs, an MLS team and it cost $75,000

* The US Open Cup Final box scores: 1914-present
* US Open Cup Final All-Time Goalscorers
* The history of Philadelphia and the US Open Cup Final

* Support TheCup.us: Special “TheCup.us” Del Rey City jerseys available for purchase

* Appreciate what we do at TheCup.us? Donate here
* TheCup.us is looking for writers/editors, graphics, WordPress gurus & people who can handle digital ad sales (paid position). Email us here

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HOW THEY GOT HERE

Philadelphia Union

Round 4: 5-0 win vs. Richmond Kickers (USL)
Round 5: 2-1 win vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 1-0 win vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)
Semifinals: 3-0 win vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)

Philadelphia’s 14 -game unbeaten streak (9-0-5, 2-3 PKs) is the second-longest in the Modern Era. (NOTE: Matches that end in penalty kicks are officially listed as draws.) That streak includes three victories in 2018 edition of the US Open Cup.

In the Fourth Round, the Union easily dispatched the Richmond Kickers (USL), scoring all its goals in the first 50 minutes in a 5-0 win.

In the Round of 16, the Union hosted the New York Red Bulls for the fourth year in a row in Open Cup play (at the time, this was the first time two teams have met four straight years). On the back of two second half goals from Haris Medunjanin and Cory Burke (both assisted by Alejandro Bedoya), Philadelphia earned a 2-1 victory.

A Quarterfinal matchup with first time Open Cup opponents Orlando City SC proved to be no problem for the Union. Hosting its third game in a row, Philadelphia rode a fourth minute Bedoya goal to earn a comfortable 1-0 win.

In the semifinals, three second-half goals propelled the Philadelphia Union to its third Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final, blowing away the Chicago Fire, 3-0.

Burke and Bedoya were once again the heroes for the Union, as Bedoya set up Burke twice to break the deadlock that lasted into the 60th minute. CJ Sapong added a third goal on an assist from Fafa Picault to put the game away late.

Houston Dynamo

Round 5: 5-0 win vs. NTX Raydos (USASA)
Round 4: 1-0 win vs. Minnesota United (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 4-2 win vs. Sporting KC (MLS)
Semifinals: 3-3 draw (7-6 PK win) vs. LAFC (MLS)

Houston’s run to the title game began with a comfortable 5-0 win over Open Division qualifiers North Texas Rayados. The Dynamo were led on the night by two goals from home grown product Memo Rodriguez and two goals from Aldo Quintanilla.

Next, they bested fellow MLS side Minnesota United as Mauro Manotas scored the lone goal to help his side advance 1-0.

They were then able to beat the defending champions Sporting Kansas City in the Quarterfinals by a score of 4-2 as Manotas and Romell Quioto both scored twice. Quioto’s performance was enough to be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

In a wild semifinal, the Dynamo overcame a hat trick by LAFC’s Diego Rossi and captured an eight-round penalty kick shootout win, 7-6, thanks to two huge saves by keeper Joe Willis after the two clubs tied in regulation, 3-3.

The Dynamo led the contest at home, 3-1 in the 75th minute, after a Rodriguez goal, but Rossi pulled one back for LAFC three minutes later, and then scored his third goal of the game deep into second half stoppage time to level the match at 3-3. Despite not advancing, Rossi was named TheCup.us Player of the Round.

CURRENT FORM

Philadelphia sits in fifth place – and just a point out of fourth place — in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with a 14-12-4 mark.

The Union has done well on the road lately with wins at New England (3-2) and D.C. United (2-2) as well as a 1-0 win at Seattle on Sept. 19 that stopped the Sounders’ nine-game winning streak.

Houston sits in 10^th place in the MLS Western Conference standings with 8-13-8 mark. The Dynamo are all but mathematically eliminated from the playoff chase as they are 12 points out of the sixth and final playoff spot with just five MLS matches left.

The Dynamo, however, are historically strong at BBVA and their only MLS win since July came at home on Sept. 15, a 4-1 drubbing of the Portland Timbers. Mauro Manotas scored two goals in the win to give him a club record this season, 18 goals across all competitions.

US Open Cup History

Philadelphia Union (MLS)

7th US Open Cup Appearance
Overall: 16-3-6 (3-3 PK)
Away: 1-1-4 (2-2 PK)
vs. MLS: 8-3-5 (2-3 PK)
Best finish: Runner-up (2014, 2015)

Houston Dynamo (MLS)

13th US Open Cup Appearance
Overall: 15-10-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 12-4-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. MLS: 5-8-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: Semifinals (2006, 2009)

Houston Dynamo Cory Burke Philadelphia Union 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals — The Houston Dynamo won a dramatic penalty kick shootout with LAFC and Cory Burke scored a pair of goals in the Philadelphia Union’s 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire in the 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photos: Houston Dynamo / Philadelphia Union

The Union are on a 14-game unbeaten streak in the Open Cup (matches that end in penalty kicks are officially listed as draws). After falling in consecutive US Open Cup Finals in 2014 and 2015 to the Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City, respectively, the Union were ousted in penalty kicks the last two years (vs. New England Revolution in 2016, vs. New York Red Bulls in 2017).

In addition to trying to win the club’s first major trophy, the Union are trying to break an Open Cup title drought for the city of Philadelphia. The last team from the City of Brotherly Love to lift the trophy was the Ukrainian Nationals back in 1966. (NOTE: Ukrainian Nationals have entered the 2019 US Open Cup qualifying tournament, and they won their opening round game)

Houston is also seeking its first US Open Cup title. In 2006, their first season after moving from San Jose, the Dynamo reached the final four only to fall to the Los Angeles Galaxy, 3-1. They would return to the Semifinals in 2009 and would lose a tight extra time battle on the road against the Seattle Sounders.

Aside from those two runs to the Semifinals, Houston’s Open Cup success has been fairly limited. They would not win multiple games in a single tournament until they reached the Quarterfinals in 2015 and 2016 only to lose to Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas, respectively. Both teams would go on to win the tournament. Last year, they were eliminated by Kansas City again, this time in the Round of 16 as Sporting would also move on to win the Open Cup.

US OPEN CUP FINAL EXPERIENCE

The Chicago FIre celebrate the 2003 US Open Cup championship. Photo: Ted Pacyga/Chicago Fire

The Houston Dynamo roster is pretty limited when it comes to US Open Cup Final experience. Only three players have played in a Final. DaMarcus Beasley helped the Chicago Fire win the 2000 and 2003 US Open Cup titles, and he started both games. Chris Seitz was instrumental in helping FC Dallas break their trophy drought with the 2016 US Open Cup title. Andrew Wenger played for the Union in both Finals in 2014 and 2015, starting the first one against Seattle and coming off the bench in 2015 against Sporting Kansas City. Unfortunately for Wenger, what Union fans remember about his time in Philadelphia was that he missed the final penalty kick in the team’s loss to Kansas City. Dylan Remick won the 2014 US Open Cup with the Seattle Sounders but didn’t play in the championship game. Joe Willis was one of the main reasons why D.C. United won the 2013 US Open Cup title, but he did not play in the Final. Willis won all four games leading up to the Final (four games, two of them shutouts) in goal for United, but was replaced by Bill Hamid in the title game, a stunning 1-0 road win over Real Salt Lake.

Only one player on the Philadelphia Union roster has won the US Open Cup. CJ Sapong lifted the trophy with Sporting Kansas City in 2012. The rest of the players on the roster with Open Cup Final experience were players who suffered through the team’s failures in 2014 and 2015. Fabinho started in 2014, Ray Gaddis started both finals, Andre Blake started in 2015 (but was replaced by John McCarthy shortly before the PK shootout), Richie Marquez started in 2015, and CJ Sapong came off the bench in the 2015 title game.

PAST MEETINGS

Philadelphia ended the Dynamo’s 10-game home unbeaten streak and started Houston’s summer swoon with a 3-1 win at BBVA on July 25.

In that match, the Union broke a 1-1 tie after Houston went down a man in the 59th minute due to a straight red card issued to Tomas Martinez after video review determined he stepped on the foot of Union defender Auston Trusty.

Philadelphia then broke the tie in the 70th minute when Cory Burke scored off a through pass from Borek Dockal. It was also a Dockal through ball in the first half that netted the Union’s first goal from Alejandro Bedoya.

A late PK by Fafa Picault added the insurance in the 3-1 Union win.

The Dynamo’s lone goal came from Mauro Manotas in the 10th minute of the match.

The previous meeting between the two teams was on May 17, 2017 at Talen Energy Stadium and the Union shut out the Dynamo 2-0 behind goals by Picault and Ilsinho.

The last Dynamo win in the series was on July 2, 2016, a 1-0 affair at BBVA, with Cristian Maidana scoring in second half stoppage time to break the scoreless battle.

Overall: The series is tied between the two clubs 6-6-4.

At Houston: The Dynamo lead the series, 5-3-0.

TOP PLAYERS

Houston’s players to watch include Mauro Manotas who has scored four times in four games so far in this year’s Open Cup. Manotas is the club’s all-time leading scorer (8 goals) in US Open Cup play. Romell Quioto scored two goals against Sporting KC in a 4-2 quarterfinal win and was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round. Manotas leads Houston with 14 goals on the MLS season followed by Alberth Elis with 11. Quioto is the club’s assist leader with 11 followed by Elis (9), Tomas Martinez (8) and Boniek Garcia (5). Keeper Joe Willis is coming off a shutout at Orlando City.

The Union are led by midfielder Borek Dockal, who leads the team in assists (15) and has five goals, Cory Burke, who has played big roles in the Union’s Open Cup wins this season, and Fafa Picault lead the team with eight MLS goals each. Alejandro Bedoya and Haris Medunjanin are key in the Union midfield. Philadelphia’s keeper Andre Blake, always a candidate for MLS goalkeeper of the year, could be a difference maker.

WHY THE UNION WILL WIN

The Union are having the better season than the Dynamo and have a more well-rounded and deeper roster.

If this championship game was being played on neutral grounds then the Union would have a big edge, but even on the road, Philadelphia has the confidence with its win at BBVA in July over Houston and the big win at Seattle earlier this month.

Houston’s defense has been shaky at times this season and they will have their hands full with Borek Dockal feeding Cory Burke and Fafa Picault. In addition, Philadelphia has the ability to control the pace and play of the game with Alejandro Bedoya and Haris Mendunjanin in the midfield.

With Andre Blake primed to make big saves in goal and a roster that is fairly rested and injury-free for this time in the season look for Philadelphia to win the championship in their third attempt.

WHY THE DYNAMO WILL WIN

For the Dynamo this championship match is for all the marbles as they likely won’t make the MLS playoffs this season. This match can salvage an otherwise disappointing campaign.

They are playing at home, where opponents have found it tricky to come away with points. Even though the calendar has officially turned to Fall, September nights in H-Town can still be uncomfortably balmy and the Houston’s players have a big advantage of living and training in the muggy weather.

For Houston to win, the game must be wide-open and free-flowing as the Dynamo want to attack with the trio of Mauro Manotas up the middle and Romell Quioto and Aberth Elis on the wings. Elis, who slumped this summer after a strong start to 2018, must break free Wednesday if Houston is to win.

Finally, keeper Joe Willis had several big saves against Orlando over the weekend and he came up huge in the spot kicks in the US Open Cup semifinal victory over LAFC. If Willis has another hot outing Wednesday then Houston can hoist the cup.

BOTTOM LINE

The match will certainly be entertaining and expect goals.

We wouldn’t be surprised if Philadelphia stuns the Houston fans with an early goal but the Dynamo, throwing everything into the attack, could storm back and even take the lead.

The game will certainly be physical as the July encounter was between the two teams when there were 29 fouls whistled. The Dynamo saw a red card in that tussle and have had some meltdown games including an August loss at home to Sporting Kansas City that saw Houston ring up a club-record 10 cards, including three player ejections.

So don’t be surprise if there are fireworks Wednesday and the officiating crew is kept busy.

In the end, however, Houston has been unable to put away opponents this season, giving up a shocking amount of goals late, including goals allowed 90+7, 90+4, 90+6, 90+1, and 90+10 so the US Open Cup title may be decided by a late Philadelphia strike.

2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Romell Quioto of Houston Dynamo named TheCup.us Player of the Round

July 26, 2018 by Dan Sousa

Romell Quioto of the Houston Dynamo celebrates after scoring a goal against Sporting KC in the 2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Houston Dynamo

Houston Dynamo forward Romell Quioto has been named the TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Quarterfinals of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Quioto’s two goals helped the Dynamo erase an early deficit and knock off the defending Open Cup champions Sporting Kansas City, 4-2.

Quioto’s Major League Soccer teammate, Mauro Manotas, who also had two goals in the win over their Western Conference rivals, was named runner-up in the voting. Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union, MLS) was third, edging out Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC, MLS), who finished fourth.

Quioto becomes the first Honduran and the second Dynamo player to win the award. The other Houston player to win the award was Geoff Cameron who scored of goals in a 4-0 win over the Charleston Battery in the 2009 Quarterfinals.

The award is voted on by the staff of TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

Quioto and the Dynamo are hunting for their first-ever US Open Cup title, having reached the Semifinals twice before, the last time in 2009. The Dynamo will host first-year entry LAFC and Vela on Aug. 8 at BBVA Compass Stadium. The other Semifinal pits the Philadelphia Union at the Chicago Fire.

The Dynamo, below the playoff line currently in the MLS table, are just two wins away from an Open Cup title, thanks to Quioto’s quarterfinal fire and determination.

Houston trailed shockingly 1-0 in the second minute at home against Sporting but Quioto’s well-placed free kick from the top of the penalty arc in the 35th minute tied the game. It was Quioto’s first goal in all competition since May.

Sporting Kansas City had a six-man wall set-up, but Quioto stepped up and placed a curling shot that skimmed over the middle of the leaping wall and tucked safely into the upper lefthand corner of the net. KC goalkeeper Tim Melia, last year’s TheCup.us Player of the Tournament, was guarding the right half of the goal, but barely flinched as the ball rifled the netting.

Quioto’s teammate, defender Adolfo Machado, saw some divine inspiration in his free kick goal, teasing Quioto after the game: “In the name of Jesus, galazo! Golazo, I say!”

Inch. Perfect. pic.twitter.com/QdptTpJeVC

— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) July 19, 2018

In the 66th minute, Houston midfielder Darwin Ceren, given plenty of space by a tiring Sporting KC lineup, played a precise pass from inside his own half to Quioto roaming just outside of the Kansas City 18 yard box. Quioto, slipping behind the SKC back line, chested down the lofting ball which took two bounces and set up nicely for the Honduran to one-time it past Melia with a low shot to the far post. Manotas scored in the 69th and 88th minutes to cap the victory and now has a club record seven career goals in US Open Cup play. Quioto exited in the 73rd minute of the match with Houston comfortably up 3-1 and Sporting Kansas City’s final goal came just before the final whistle at 90+3 after Houston was already coasting to the finish line. “Let’s go to the semifinals!,” said a joyful Quioto on the field after the game.

2️⃣ for Romell Quioto, 2️⃣ for Mauro Manotas, and 2️⃣ wins away from a trophy. #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/hD1xBS80YM — Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) July 19, 2018

Quioto’s pace and vision down the left wing was a big reason that Houston out-shot SKC in the quarterfinal match, 24-14, including 12-7 with shots on goal.

“He’s been important,” Houston manager Wilmer Cabrara said. “He’s been giving us important numbers and what we were expecting from him. assists … attacking opportunities and created opportunities for us. And when he has the possibility, he can score and today he was dangerous.”

Romell Quioto of the Houston Dynamo strikes a free kick that would produce the first goal of the game in a 4-2 win over Sporting KC in the 2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Houston Dynamo

Coming into the Open Cup quarterfinal, Quioto had just three goals during the MLS season but is second in the league with 11 assists. The Honduran international is a big part of the Dynamo’s high-flying offense which averaging nearly two goals a game.

Quioto is a player that comfortably score with his right-foot, like he did on the free kick against Sporting Kansas City, or send crosses in with his left-foot, targeting fellow Honduran Aberth Elis (9 goals) flashing in from the right wing or Manotas (10 goals) in the middle.

The powerfully-built 6-foot-1 Quioto will turn 27 the day after the semifinal against LAFC. He grew up on the Caribbean coast in tiny Rio Esteban, about 135 miles from the capital city of Tegucigalpa and home to just over 1,200 people.

Nearby Balfate was a one-time key port for shipping bananas to the United States but the area saw its rail lines dismantled in the 1950s and the pier eventually was demolished. When a main highway was built between La Ceiba and Trujilio the area was largely by-passed with most towns connected to the larger world by dirt or gravel roads.

Just two days before the win over Sporting Kansas City, Quioto tweeted about his hometown: “We #RioEsteban come from a place where life is difficult and being able to get ahead costs but God always gave us strength to be able to fight for our dreams.”

Me llena de mucho orgullo poder ver más jóvenes en la liga nacional representando nuestro querido pueblo #RioEsteban venimos de un lugar donde la vida es difícil y poder salir adelante cuesta pero Dios siempre nos dio fuerza para poder luchar por nuestros sueños

— Romell Quioto (@RomellSamir) July 16, 2018

Quioto, nicknamed El Romantico by his teammates because of his goal celebrations of forming a heart with hands and his love of romantic music, signed with the Dynamo on December 23, 2016.

He burst onto the scene in Houston, scoring in his first three MLS appearances last season. It was a long season for Quioto as his Honduran national team battled for a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

He separated a shoulder in World Cup qualifying last spring and later had an ankle injury that kept him off the field. He finished 2017 with seven goals and three assists in 22 appearances (14 starts).

Honduras fell to Australia last November in a playoff for one of the final spots in the tournament and the long home-and-away series in the middle of the MLS playoffs, limited Quioto in Houston’s run to the Western Conference semifinals.

“He knows that we are expecting more from him this season. Because last season he had a very good start in a few games but then he got injured and then he was inconsistent,” Cabrera said.

Quioto already has 14 starts this season and would have had more but he was limited to coming off the bench at the start of the 2018 MLS season after a viral infection in training camp kept him off the field.

“He wasn’t at his best because he had an injury and then he got sick, but we had to wait with him. But he has recovered; after he recovered he was ready, practicing hard, when he was ready we played him and now he’s been playing very well and we’re happy for him,” said Cabrera after Quioto was ready to climb back into the starting 11.

It was clear from Quioto’s body language early in the season that he was chomping at the bit to get off the substitution bench.

“Yeah, I feel very happy now. The beginning of the season was tough because I wasn’t starting and I was not fully recovered. Now I am healthy and happy that I am back with the team and having good performances,” Quioto said.

His big goals in the US Open Cup Quarterfinals should come as no surprise to Honduran fans as it was Quioto’s game-winning goal against Mexico last fall in a 3-2 win that put Honduras into the fourth and final playoff spot, knocking the United States out of its bid to reach Russia.

Quioto also has scored in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2016-17 and in the 2016 Rio Olympics as an over-age player for Honduras.

The chemistry between Elis and Quioto on the opposite wings is fun to watch. The duo played for two years together at Olimpia in Honduras and both have a full-tilt attitude.

While at Olimpia, Quioto hammered home 38 goals in 96 league appearances, gaining the attention of the Houston Dynamo scouts and a reunion with Elis.

“Since we started playing together we’ve had chemistry,” Elis said. “He’s a player that always tries to help the forwards. And he has a great first touch and we’re both fast so we understand one another.”

2018 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners

Preliminary Round: Rasmus Hansen (Brooklyn Italians, NPSL)
First Round: Chuka Aruh (Inter Nashville FC, NPSL)
Second Round: Christian Okeke (NTX Rayados, USASA)
Third Round: Allisson Faramilio (FC Golden State Force, PDL)
Fourth Round: Brian Ownby (Louisville City FC, USL)
Fifth Round: Daniel Salloi (Sporting Kansas City, MLS)
Quarterfinals: Romell Quioto (Houston Dynamo, MLS)

2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Manotas, Quioto each score two as Houston Dynamo knock off defending champs Sporting KC

July 19, 2018 by Dan Sousa

Mauro Manotas of the Houston Dynamo celebrates after scoring a goal against Sporting Kansas City in the 2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo knocked off defending Lamar Hunt US Open Cup champions Sporting Kansas City in the Quarterfinals with two goals each from Romell Quioto and Mauro Manotas in a 4-2 win before 6,431 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium.

“A good win for us versus a good rival and tough opponent,” said Houston manager Wilmer Cabrera after the Dynamo advanced to the Semifinals for the first time since 2009, are now two wins away from the club’s first ever Open Cup championship.

Road weary Sporting Kansas City was staked to a very early lead with Johnny Russell scoring in the second minute but Houston controlled most of the match, outshooting SKC 24-12 in the contest including a 11-5 shots on goal advantage.

Sporting Kansas City keeper Tim Melia made seven saves in the match but he watched helplessly as Quioto struck for a beautiful free kick goal in the 35th minute. Quioto, who hadn’t scored since May 20 in MLS action and had three goals on the season, put the Dynamo ahead for good in the 66th minute.

Houston kept the pressure on with Manotas scoring in the 69th and 88th minutes. Manotas is Houston’s all-time Open Cup leading scorer with seven goals now in eight appearances.

Sporting Kansas City, looking tired in the final 30, tacked on a goal in stoppage time with substitute Yohan Croizet scoring in stoppage time.

Houston’s win prevents Sporting Kansas City from winning a record-tying fifth Open Cup. Sporting has claimed the Open Cup title in three of the previous six seasons.

Wednesday’s match, played in muggy conditions with a kick off “feels like temperature” in the triple digits, was the fourth straight season the two Major League Soccer Western Conference rivals had met in the competition with the clubs splitting those meetings now 2-2.

Both teams opted to play strong line-ups despite having just played in MLS action over the weekend.

Sporting Kansas City shocked the Dynamo with a goal in the second minute as Gerso Fernandes tackled the ball away deep on SKC’s end after a Houston corner kick and found Russell running free up the right side.

Russell had the edge on the Dynamo back line and raced into the Houston 18 all alone, forcing Dynamo keeper Chris Seitz to come off the goal line. Seitz tried to cut down the angle, but Russell calmly slotted the ball just to the left of Seitz for the quick lead. It would be Sporting Kansas City’s only shot on goal in the first half.

Houston was knocking on the door to tie most of the first half with Oscar Boniek Garcia hitting the crossbar on a header in the 10th minute. Five minutes later, Manotas fired for the far post but Melia made a nice save, pushing the shot wide.

By the 30th minute hydration break the Dynamo already had 10 shots — two more than they had in all 90 minutes of a listless 0-0 tie Saturday in Colorado.

Houston finally got the equalizer in the 35th minute after a Sporting Kansas City foul just outside of the 18, at the top of the penalty arc. Quioto stepped up and fired a right-footed rocket over a six-man wall. Melia hardly made a move as the ball rifled the netting in the upper lefthand corner.

Quioto’s teammate, defender Adolfo Machado, saw some divine inspiration in his free kick goal, teasing Quioto after the game: “In the name of Jesus, galazo! Golazo, I say!”

By the 60-minute mark it was clear that Sporting Kansas was running out of gas as there was a lot of stabbing at the ball and Houston kept constant pressure on Melia.

“You’re not going to win a game when have certain players that just give up or don’t put the effort in like they have to. That’s the result you get,” Kansas City manager Peter Vermes told the Kansas City Star after the loss.

Manotas looked like he would get the go-ahead goal in the 62nd minute when he picked the pocket off a Sporting Kansas City defender and came in 1-on-1 against Melia. Manotas’ shot just nicked off of Melia and went wide right for a corner kick.

On that ensuing corner kick, Houston had two great shots but SKC defender Seth Sinovic blocked a Manotas shot off the line and Quioto’s rebound attempt was stopped by a Melia reflex save.

Houston finally broke through for the lead in the 66th minute as Quioto chested down a long pass from Darwin Ceren and then beat Melia with a quick one-time shot.

Three minutes later it appeared that Melia had kept the Houston advantage when he made yet another save on a Manotas right-footed shot but Manotas tracked down his own rebound towards the edge of the penalty area and, with his back to the goal, swiveled around and hit the ball with his left foot through traffic. The shot, which was heading for the far post, took a slight deflection off a SKC defender but had enough steam to make it over the goal line.

Houston had some nifty defensive work of their own in the 77th minute when centerback Alejandro Fuenmayor saved the ball off the goal line and moments later he had a sliding block off another shot.

The Dynamo could have finished with half a dozen goals as Melia was pressed to make back-to-back nearly point-blank saves in the 83rd minute.

Manotas got his second goal on a header in the 88th minute off a cross from Memo Rodriguez.

Sporting KC added the final tally in stoppage as Russell fed Croizet on the right side, who then beat Seitz with just about 60 seconds left in the contest.

The loss continues a tough patch for Sporting Kansas City which has now gone 0-4-1 in all competitions in July with their last win coming on June 23 at home, 3-2 over the Houston Dynamo.

They don’t get much better than this from @RomellSamir. #HOUvSKC #USOC2018 https://t.co/bfcFj7CQoR

— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) July 19, 2018

Inch. Perfect. pic.twitter.com/QdptTpJeVC

— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) July 19, 2018

Perfectly dropped in by @CerenDarwin, calmly finished by @RomellSamir. #HOUvSKC #USOC2018 https://t.co/Hr1jdZF481

— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) July 19, 2018

.@MauroManotas19 finds a way. #HOUvSKC #USOC2018 https://t.co/k9svJpPdsF

— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) July 19, 2018

What a sequence to put a cap in this one #HOUvSKC #USOC2018 https://t.co/Pszd2sBMga

— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) July 19, 2018

2018 US Open Cup Round 5: Houston Dynamo hold off Minnesota United after late PK miss (video)

June 19, 2018 by Dan Sousa

Mauro Manotas of the Houston Dynamo runs down a ball against Minnesota United in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Houston Dynamo

Houston Dynamo opponents don’t just find wins hard to come by at BBVA Compass Stadium, but goals are even a tall task in Texas.

Minnesota United FC became the Dynamo’s third straight shutout victim in all competitions as Houston made Mauro Manotas’ 47th minute glancing header stand up in a 1-0 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Fifth Round victory Monday night before 1,930 fans.

“I think we got the result we wanted,” said Houston goalkeeper Chris Seitz, who had five saves in the shutout and survived a furious Minnesota comeback in the closing 30 minutes, including a penalty kick attempt in the 87th minute that smacked off the right post.

Houston, which has not lost at home since March, will host defending US Open Cup champion Sporting Kansas City in the Quarterfinals on July 18. It will be the fourth straight year that Sporting KC and the Dynamo have squared off in the Open Cup with Kansas City having won two of the last three, including last year’s 2-0 win at BBVA Compass Stadium in the Round of 16.

“Obviously we’re disappointed,” said Minnesota head coach Adrian Heath. “I thought it was a little bit too late. I learned a valuable lesson today about this group, both individually and collectively, that will certainly help us moving forward. We’ve got to the stage now where we have to start to make some difficult and hard decisions on people and that is what we will do. I think tonight will turn out to be a really good night in the long term.”

The Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City will meet in the US Open Cup for the fourth year in a row.

With Monday night’s contest coming in the middle of the MLS two-week World Cup break, neither squad put in their normal starting 11, which might have partly accounted for a lackluster first half that saw one shot on goal for the two teams combined.

“We were a little bit erratic with the ball when passing with our movements. You can consider that normal because some of the guys haven’t been able to play consistently, but they worked hard,” said Houston head coach Wilmer Cabrera. “In the second half, I think we improved. We came out much better – more energetic, sharper.”

It took the Dynamo just 90 seconds into the second half to break the deadlock as defender Adam Lundqvist, acquired by Houston on April 26 from IF Elfsborg in Sweden, sent in a curling left-footed corner kick to the near post, where Manotas perfectly timed a run and let the ball glance off his head and by Minnesota keeper Bobby Shuttleworth.

It added to Manotas’ club-best five career goals in US Open Cup play and it was Lundkvist’s first points since joining the Dynamo.

.@lundqvista takes the corner, @mauromanotas19 is there to head it in.#HOUvMIN #USOC2018 https://t.co/5krDpHwcMd

— #VoteDynamo (@HoustonDynamo) June 19, 2018

“I saw the excitement of the crowd and also saw Manotas come in just perfect, and it was a great call … just shows the type of goal scorer he is,” said Lundqvist. “He had perfect control with his head, and yeah, it felt amazing to see it going in.”

By the 56th minute, Houston had out-shot Minnesota, 12-5, in the contest and it appeared that the Loons offense was still waiting at baggage claim, but Minnesota peppered Seitz and Co. in the final 30 minutes with eight shots including four on target.

“I think we kind of stopped trying to play the ball, trying to play a little bit more possession, and they took the ball and they took the risk,” said Cabrera. “They were sending some guys up front and they created some options.”

Minnesota, which didn’t score in their first US Open Cup match this season, a win at Cincinnati FC in penalty kicks after a scoreless game, appeared poised to finally find the back of the net when Loon midfielder Miguel Ibarra was toppled in the air on a cross whipped in by Alexi Gomez. There wasn’t a lot of contact on the play but center referee Guido Gonzalez, Jr., pointed to the penalty spot.

“I think it’s one of those plays where they whipped a good, dangerous ball in to the back post … I don’t know if he was touched. I didn’t see that because I was following the ball, but the referee thought he saw something there and they called it,” said Seitz.

Darwin Quintero stepped up to the penalty spot for Minnesota and smacked the ball off the right post.

“These are the games you can win the championship with,” said Lundqvist. “I mean on a bad day, if you can still get to the next round … it’s huge. Also, cliché, but a little luck on our side.”

Cabrera tried to pad Houston’s slim advantage in the second half with the substation of three starters – Honduran forwards Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto as well as playmaker midfielder Tomas Martinez – but the Dynamo had to defend through four minutes of stoppage time to secure the win.

The Houston coach was pleased that he was able to get 90 minutes of playing time for center back Philippe Senderos, who is returning from injury, and got a good luck at Kevin Garcia at right back. Lundqvist, who has been playing out of position at right back since joining the Dynamo, was able to play in his more natural left back spot Monday as Houston captain DaMarcus Beasley had the night off.

Beasley was a mainstay with the US Men’s National Team and Monday’s goal scorer, 22-year-old Manotas, is working toward his goal of someday representing his country of Colombia at the World Cup.

“That is why I work every day. I wake up dreaming that I’m with the national team of Colombia,” said Manotas.

The Dynamo out-shot Minnesota, 14-13, in the win and The Dynamo picked up 19 fouls on the evening while the Loons were whistled just six times.

The Dynamo advance to the Quarterfinals for the third time in the last four years and the sixth time in club history. Houston is still seeking the club’s first trip to the US Open Cup Final with their best finish coming in a pair of Semifinal runs in 2006 and 2009.

2018 US Open Cup Round 5 preview: Houston Dynamo host Minnesota United in Monday night football

June 18, 2018 by Dan Sousa

2018 US Open Cup Fifth Round
Monday, June 19, 2018
Minnesota United FC (MLS) at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
BBVA Compass Stadium – Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO

Perhaps no MLS team was looking forward to the league’s two-week World Cup break more than the Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo limped into their last MLS match with seven players on the injury report, including five defenders and another starting defender, center back Adolfo Machado, away on international duty with Panama in Russia.

While Houston head coach Wilmer Cabrera hopes his team can heal for the second half of the MLS season, he also isn’t taking Monday’s US Open Cup Round of 16 home match against Western Conference foe Minnesota United FC lightly.

“We want to win at home and we have to win at home, so it’s a very important game for us,” Cabrera told HoustonDynamo.com. “At home we have to be solid and we cannot go just play for fun. That’s not the way we are.”

Players from the Houston Dynamo (orange) and NTX Rayados battle for the ball in their Fourth Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Jose Castellanos | Prost Amerika

The Dynamo come into Monday’s match on back-to-back shutout wins at home – 2-0 over struggling Colorado on June 9 and a 5-0 US Open Cup Fourth Round win over amateur side NTX Rayados on June 6. Those wins helped Houston stop a two-game MLS slide, both of those losses were by one goal on the road where Houston has struggled, including a 2-1 loss at Minnesota on April 28.

Weather is expected to be a factor Monday as a tropical system is moving into the Houston area from the Gulf of Mexico Sunday and could dump up to four inches of rain through Tuesday. The good news is that the system will knock down the temperatures with kickoff comfortably in the 70s.

How They Got Here

Houston defeated Dallas area amateur side NTX Rayados 5-0 at home on June 6. The match was scoreless at the half before the Dynamo busted loose with Memo Rodriguez and Aldo Quintanilla each scoring a brace and Matias Zaldivar adding the fifth goal.

Minnesota United FC needed penalty kicks to get past USL and recently announced MLS expansion team FC Cincinnati on the road after a scoreless draw through 120 minutes of play. The Loons converted their first three kicks from the penalty spot with Christian Ramirez, Collin Martin and Brent Kallman finding the back of the net. A couple of Cincinnati misses and a save by Minnesota keeper Bobby Shuttleworth sealed the 3-1 win.

Recent Form:

Houston Dynamo
Last 5 matches: WWLLW

The Dynamo jumped all over NYCFC at home, 3-1, on May 25 before falling 2-1 at Real Salt Lake (May 30) and 1-0 at Montreal Impact (June 2). The wins over Rayados and Colorado gives Houston five straight wins at home coming into Monday’s match.

Minnesota United FC
Last 5 matches: TLWTL

The Loons were 1-1-1 in three straight home matches in May – losing to San Jose, 3-1, tying Sporting KC, 1-1, and beating the Montreal Impact, 2-0. Prior to the US Open Cup win at Cincinnati, Minnesota was thumped on the road at Sporting Kansas City, 4-1.

Minnesota United eliminated FC Cincinnati in penalty kicks in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Brett Hansbauer/4th Floor Creative

US Open Cup History

Houston Dynamo (MLS)
13^th US Open Cup Appearance
Overall: 13-10-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 10-4-0
vs. MLS teams: 3-8-0
Best finish: Semifinals (2006, 2009)

Minnesota United FC (MLS)
8^th US Open Cup Appearance
Overall: 5-6-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 4-3-2 (1-1 PK)
vs. MLS teams: 1-4-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2012, 2014, 2016, 2017)

Prior Meetings

The two teams are 1-1-2 in four lifetime meetings.

The Houston Dynamo are 1-0-1 vs. Minnesota United FC at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Minnesota United FC 2, Houston Dynamo 1 (4/18/18) – The Dynamo took a lead on the road on an Alberth Elis goal in the 10th minute but Minnesota rallied with Darwin Quintero converting on a PK in the 40th minute and Ibson scored the game-winner in the 70th.

Houston Dynamo 2, Minnesota United FC 1 (9/30/17) – The Dynamo snapped a six-game winless streak with a win at BBVA. Alberth Elis broke a scoreless game with a goal in the 69th minute to put the Dynamo ahead and Mauro Manotas connected on the game winner in the 85th. The Loons added a goal in extra time by substitute Sam Nicholson but ran out of time in their comeback bid.

Houston Dynamo 0, Minnesota United FC 0 (7/19/17) – This match saw no goals but five yellow cards as the two teams battled to a scoreless draw at TCF Bank Stadium in Minnesota.

Houston Dynamo 2, Minnesota United FC 2 (4/15/17) – The Loons rousing second half comeback earned them their first ever road point as Christian Ramirez scored in the 47th minute and Johan Venegas tied the match in the 59th minute. Houston was staked to a 2-0 halftime lead at BBVA Compass Stadium on goals by Mauro Manotas in the 14th minute and Alberth Elis in the 43rd minute.

Injury Report:

Minnesota United FC

Out: Sam Cronin M (cervicogenic dysfunction); Kevin Molino M (torn left ACL, out of season); Ethan Finlay M (torn ACL); Marc Burch D (left knee); Jerome Thiesson D (right leg).

Questionable: Matt Lampson GK (right knee)

International Duty: Francisco Calvo D.

Houston Dynamo

Out: AJ DeLaGarza D (torn left ACL); Dylan Remick D (concussion); Jared Watts D (concussion); Darwin Ceren M (leg); Juan David Cabezas M (left quad); Mac Steeves F (left hip).

Questionable: Andrew Wenger M (calf).

International duty: Aldolfo Machado D.

Throw In: Houston forward Alberth Elis has scored eight goals with five assists in 14 MLS games this season. He has struck for goals against Minnesota in three of the two team’s four lifetime meetings.

2017 US Open Cup Round 2: USL power San Antonio FC uses depth to eliminate Dutch Lions FC

May 21, 2017 by Dan Sousa

USL frontrunner San Antonio FC showed off its depth Wednesday night, resting nine starters in a 2-1 road win over the amateur side Dutch Lions FC in the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Second Round action.

First half goals by Victor Araujo and Aly Hassan were just enough for San Antonio FC which was making its 2017 US Open Cup debut after an opening round bye.

The Dutch Lions gave their fans something to roar about in the second half with Jerry Scholman’s goal in the 62nd minute and sustained pressure that resulted in a half dozen corner kicks but the NPSL squad couldn’t find the equalizer against San Antonio FC’s stingy defense.

San Antonio FC, the only unbeaten team left in USL play at 7-0-2 and now 8-0-2 in all competitions, will face USL Western Conference rival the Tulsa Roughnecks FC in a Third Round US Open Cup matchup in Oklahoma on May 31.

“What’s really rewarding to see: it’s always a team effort. It’s a real collective, a tight-knit group of players,” said San Antonio FC head coach Darren Powell, who pointed out that some of the reserves made the most of their playing time. “Two or three stepped forward tonight and seized their opportunity.”

Brazilian Araujo certainly stepped up in the 17th minute with a free kick goal from about 20 yards out to put San Antonio FC up 1-0. It was no accident that Araujo’s low skipping shot beat the Dutch Lions FC keeper to the near post.

“I saw that the keeper was cheating to the right so I told some of our players to stay in the wall blocking his view,” said Araujo.

The free kick was earned after a Dutch Lions FC giveaway forced a foul just outside the 18. It was another giveaway in the 41st minute that turned out to be the game winner as Hassan intercepted a back pass to the keeper.

“I was standing between the center backs, saw the back pass, read it, then took a touch and put it in,” said Hassan.

Dutch Lions FC head coach Marco Pruis said his team gave up “two silly, stupid goals” but that he was proud of his squad’s passion and determination in the second half.

“If you make a mistake against these guys, they will score,” said Dutch Lions FC captain Remy Broekmans.

San Antonio FC keeper Lee Johnston, making his first start of the season, had to make a nervy clearance of a ball out of play to prevent two Dutch Lions from reaching it with 90 seconds left in regulation and then was called upon to make a save in the second minute of stoppage time.

Both Araujo and Aly Hassan could have had two goals in the first half as each of them kissed a shot off the post with Hassan grazing the left post in the 15th minute and Araujo clanging a shot off the right post in the 43rd minute.

Dutch Lions keeper Marc Skytte Olson kept his team in the contest when he made a fingertip save of Maxi Rodriguez’s blistering shot in the second minute of the second half.

With Jesus Cortes and Jose Pablo Covarrubias pushing up the wings, the Dutch Lions FC cut the lead on a series where a dangerous cross bounced around the penalty area, a back-heeled attempted was deflected and finally Scholman, charging towards the net, redirected a clearance on the dead run off his body and into the net.

“We knew coming into the game we had nothing to lose,” said Covarrubias. “We wanted to give it a go and make it a game.”

Defender Ben Newnam and midfielder Rafael Castillo were the only regulars in the starting line-up Wednesday for San Antonio FC with both of them giving way in the second half to substitutes.

Among those resting were midfielder Billy Forbes and forward Cesar Elizando who have combined for 10 goals and six assists in nine USL games.

“It shows our team depth. Anybody can step on the field and get a result for us,” said Hassan.

2017 US Open Cup Round 1: Newcomers Dutch Lions FC knock off Open Cup regulars NTX Rayados to earn first win

May 14, 2017 by Dan Sousa

The Dutch Lions FC scored two goals in a 64-second span early in the second half and cruised to a 3-1 win Wednesday over the North Texas Rayados in a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup first round matchup.

Jose Pablo Covarrubias had a goal and an assist for the Houston-area squad and Jesus Cortes added two assists for the Dutch Lions playing in their first ever US Open Cup contest.

The Dutch Lions, which play in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), earned a second round matchup May 17 against USL side San Antonio FC, which had a first round bye. The match is tentatively scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff at the Dutch Lions FC Soccer Facility.

“We are putting our name on the map,” said Dutch Lions forward Covarrubias.

One of just three returning starters Wednesday from last year’s Dutch Lions squad that went 11-2-2 in NPSL play, Covarrubias got the Dutch Lions going in the 54th minute when his low cross from the left flank was flicked home by Lawal Olayimika.

Just seconds after the restart, Cortes forced a turnover in the midfield and found Covarrubias all alone behind the Rayados defense. Covarrubias calmly slotted the ball into the net for the 2-0 lead in the 55th minute.

“The defender was having trouble controlling the ball,” said Cortes, the oldest player on the Dutch Lions roster, turning 28 this year. “I saw him struggling a little bit and took advantage of the opportunity.”

Rayados, making their fifth US Open Cup appearance in six years after missing out last season due to a technical disqualification prior to the first round, sliced the lead in half just a minute later on an own goal by the Dutch Lions defender Remy Broekmans, whose attempt to clear a screaming cross was buried into the net.

Despite that hiccup, it was all Dutch Lions in the second half as Rayados could not mount a sustained attack. Even with the one-goal lead, the Dutch Lions continued pushing forward.
“We took some risks by pushing people forward but in these cup games that is what you have to do,” said Covarrubias.

All the pressure finally paid off in a third goal in the 90th minute as Dutch Lions midfield workhorse Jerry Scholman gathered in a Cortes pass inside the 18 and beat the Rayados keeper with a crisp shot.

Dutch Lions FC manager Marco Pruis was happy with his team’s performance in their first game of the 2017 season, especially since many of the players had not played together before today. It was evident in the first half that the team is a work in progress.

“Today we had three returning starters in the line-up so we can do only better,” said Pruis. “In the first half I rated them a 6 out of 10 but the second half grew towards an 8.”

Both Covarrubias and Cortes said the uneven first half was a result of being so early in the season and the fact that many players had never been on the field together before.

“Some of the guys had never played together before but we got the chemistry going,” said Covarrubias, a Mexico native who went to high school just down the road in The Woodlands and plays at St. Edward’s University in Austin where he led the Hilltopers in goal last season with nine.

“He’s a local kid with an amazing skill level,” said Pruis of the 21-year-old Covarrubias.
There wasn’t much action in the first half but both keepers were called upon for big saves to keep things scoreless.

In the 19th minute, Christopher Escalera nearly put Rayados ahead when he muscled a defender off the ball and fired a shot at Dutch Lions keeper Marc Skytte Olson who made a sprawling save with his legs.

In the 40th minute, the Dutch Lions started putting the pressure on with Felix Verhaar forcing Rayados keeper Eduardo Sanchez to make two fine saves on one series in the box before the ball was cleared away.

Sanchez also shut down another great Dutch Lions scoring chance in the 72nd minute when he save a Scholman shot.

Rayados didn’t have a lot of possession in the second half but the Dallas area club had a chance to tie it up in the 85th minute when Victor Pinal’s free kick from about 28 yards out was slotted onto the foot of Gerardo Salas but he was unable to get off a shot thanks to a quick recovery by the Dutch Lions defense.