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Houston Dynamo

2024 US Open Cup Round 4: Detroit City FC rallies to force OT, wins PK shootout to oust defending champ Houston Dynamo

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Detroit City FC players celebrate in the locker room after defeating the Houston Dynamo 10-9 in a PK shootout after a 3-3 draw in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Detroit City FC
Detroit City FC players celebrate in the locker room after defeating the Houston Dynamo 10-9 in a PK shootout after a 3-3 draw in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Detroit City FC
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

The Detroit City FC shocked the defending Lamar Hunt US Open Cup champion winning on penalty kicks (10-9) on Tuesday night in Houston after a 3-3 draw.

The Round of 32 match was one for the ages as the Houston Dynamo FC blew leads late not once, but twice as Detroit would not go away.

Detroit heads to the Round of 16 for the first time in franchise history, and is the first Michigan club to reach that far since 2012 (Michigan Bucks).

Griffin Dorsey who made name for himself and secured a starting 11 spot because of his play in the 2023 US Open Cup opened the scoring in 2024. Flashing to the near post on a corner kick, Dorsey tapped home for the early lead in the sixth minute of play. Dynamo captain Hector Herrera earned the assist in front of an announced crowd of 7,549 at Houston’s Shell Energy Stadium.

Just past the half hour mark, Latif Blessing doubled the Houston advantage and the men in orange appeared to have all the momentum going their way but Detroit had other things in mind.

Le Rouge defender Ryan Williams scored with a banger from distance (30 yards) to cut the deficit in half just before halftime setting up a crazy freewheeling goalscoring second half.

As La Naranja has been prone to do, they surrendered the equalizer to Detroit City FC forward Yazeed Matthews with 15 minutes remaining in the match. DCFC returned the favor giving the lead right back as Houston midfielder Coco Carrasquilla found some space cutting to his left and delivering a scorcher less then two minutes later that gave Houston a 3-2 lead.


The Dynamo though could not accept the gift giving up the equalizer in the 83rd minute to Maxi Rodriguez making regulation and nine minutes of stoppage time not enough to settle this one.

Extra time was not enough either and after 120 minutes of grueling in a match that started with a game time temperature of 85 degrees and humidity in the upper 80s, the game went to a shootout.

DCFC goalkeeper Carlos Saldana who faced a barrage of 28 shots in the first 120 minutes was the hero, stopping a critical shot attempt and scoring a goal of his own. The teams were even after two rounds, but then Houston netminder Andrew Tarbell saved the third Detroit attempt taken by Ben Morris to give Houston the lead. They would carry that lead to the fifth round, where DCFC goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña would make his own save, stopping Ibrahim Aliyu. Michael Bryant would convert his attempt to lead to sudden death, where five more rounds of consecutive makes by both sides led to the keepers facing off. Tarbell’s attempt went sailing over the crossbar, which left open the door for Saldaña to win it for the lower division side. Win it he did, placing it just to Tarbell’s left with pace to send Detroit City FC to the Round of 16 for the first time in their 13-year history. It also marks the second year in a row, and only the fourth time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that the defending champions were one-and-done.

Playing their third road match in a week, the white and rouge weathered a storm of 14 Houston corner kicks on their first ever trip to an MLS Stadium. They lost everywhere on the stat sheet but where it mattered most adding the Houston Dynamo FC as their latest conquest. Houston returns to MLS action Saturday night on the road at Sporting Kansas City.

DCFC awaits the winner of the Indy Eleven/San Antonio match for the Round of 16 in two weeks.

2023 US Open Cup: Andrew Tarbell of Houston Dynamo voted TheCup.us Player of the Tournament

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Andrew Tarbell of Houston Dynamo FC named TheCup.us Player of the Tournament
Photo: Houston Dynamo FC

Houston Dynamo FC goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell was voted the 2023 TheCup.us Player of the Tournament.

Tarbell played every minute of the Dynamo’s run to the club’s second Lamar Hunt US Open Cup title. He had three clean sheets and only allowed three goals, including just a late goal in a 2-1 win in the 2023 US Open Cup Final against Inter Miami on their home turf at DRV Pink stadium, helping bring the trophy back to Houston for just the second time in tournament history.

Tarbell narrowly edged FC Cincinnati’s Alvaro Barreal for the award, with his Dynamo teammate Amine Bassi finishing third.

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

The Houston Dynamo backup goalkeeper came in with plenty of Open Cup experience. Having played in seven cup games previous to his arrival in Houston, including the 2017 US Open Cup semifinal match with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2017, the 30 year old was certainly up to the task throughout the tournament. He capped off a memorable run with a three save performance in the Dynamo’s victory in the Final.

After being drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes with the 8th overall selection in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, Tarbell was one of the first signees with Houston after general manager Pat Onstad began to rebuild the club following the 2022 season. At Tarbell’s signing, Onstad’s words now seem prophetic, “Andrew is an experienced MLS goalkeeper who brings a winning mentality to our locker room and adds competition to our goalkeeping position. We talked about adding more quality and depth to our roster this offseason and Andrew’s signing aligns with that intention. Plus, his experience on three different MLS Playoff clubs will be invaluable as we restore a winning mentality at our club.”

Tarbell put together six wins en route to the US Open Cup title. His experience and winning mentality may have been at its peak when facing Sporting Kansas City when the Dynamo were down a man for nearly an hour. Sporting the captain’s armband, Tarbell was peppered with 17 shots and tallied four saves officially as Houston won 1-0.

Following that effort in the Round of 32, Tarbell refused to talk about his performance but was not bashful about his team.

“Everyone is working together and at the end of the day if we work together, good results will come if we keep doing that. We are a great unit. We have a good collective mentality about the team and he (Dynamo HC Ben Olsen) was just encouraging that.”

In the Round of 16, the Dynamo benefited from an early red card when Minnesota United had to play a man down starting in the 38th minute. Houston would prevail at home, 4-0.

Houston hit the road in the Quarterfinals and pick up a 4-1 win over the four-time champion Chicago Fire. Tarbell made four saves to earn the win. In the Semifinals, the Dynamo returned home and needed extra time to beat Real Salt Lake, 3-1. Tarbell was only forced to make one save that night.

Including the Final, Tarbell posted 11 saves while conceding just three goals, totaling 300 minutes of play. In the end, without Tarbell who knows if Houston would enjoyed the sweet fruits of victory on a warm summer night in Miami.

Tarbell becomes just the fourth goalkeeper to be named TheCup.us Player of the Tournament. He joins Chris Eylander (Seattle Sounders, 2008), Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC, 2009), Tim Melia (Sporting KC, 2017).

2023 US Open Cup Semifinals: Houston Dynamo need OT to survive RSL, return to Final

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Houston Dynamo celebrate after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake in the Semifinals of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Vos_Castellanos
Houston Dynamo celebrate after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake in the Semifinals of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: @FutbolPlusBrews (IG)

The Houston Dynamo beat Real Salt Lake 3-1 in extra time to advance to the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final on Wednesday at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.

Héctor Herrera, Adalberto Carrasquilla, and Luís Caicedo scored in the win. Amine Bassi provided assists for all three of Houston’s goals.

Houston will face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in South Florida in the championship game on Sept. 27 at an undetermined site.

This is Houston’s second Open Cup Final. In 2018 the Dynamo captured the club’s first Open Cup title with a 3-0 win at home over the Philadelphia Union.

It was clear from the opening whistle RSL was going to do everything possible to disrupt the fluid possession-orientated attack Houston has become known for under first-year coach, Ben Olsen. RSL’s Jefferson Savarino set the tone of the match early with his second-minute foul on Houston’s captain, Herrera.

The chippy game made it difficult for either team to establish any real rhythm as the first half progressed. Houston’s Griffin Dorsey was shown the first of 10 yellow cards on the night in just the 22nd minute for a bad foul on Braian Ojeda, followed by Herrera in the 38th for a hard foul on RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath. RSL’s Brayan Vera was also shown yellow in resulting scuffle following the foul on the goalkeeper.

With just moments left in added time, Herrera broke the deadlock thanks to a gift from RSL defender Andrew Brody. Brody’s failed clearance fell to the feet of Bassi, who played Herrera a square ball only a few yards from an all-but-open goal five minutes into stoppage time.

Still reeling from the defensive miscue, it looked like things went from bad to worse for RSL when Corey Baird took advantage of yet another ball bungled by the RSL back line eight minutes into stoppage time. After a long look at the replay the goal was called back when it was determined Baird came from an offside position to score.

In the second half, Houston came out seeming to finally have wrangled some semblance of control of the game. Carrasquilla, Baird, and Franco Escobar all had decent chances early on in the second half.

The tide turned somewhat for RSL when captain and Open Cup leading scorer, Damir Kreilach was replaced by Anderson Julio in the 56th minute.

Eight minutes after coming on, Julio outjumped the entire Houston defense to slam-dunk a header from close range to level the score at one.

After nearly half an hour of choppy, chippy play, and the sultry night wearing negatively affecting both team’s execution in front of goal, the game went to extra time.

Again it was a defensive blunder from RSL, turning over the ball dangerously close to their own goal, and again it was the cool head of Bassi, this time finding Carrasquilla in front of the goal. Carrasquilla easily pushed the ball around a desperate defender and slammed the ball past a helpless MacMath to put the hosts back into the lead.

Things went from bad to worse for RSL when Vera lost all semblance of composure after getting tangled up field. Vera swung wildly as the fresh-legged Caicedo glided past him, striking him violently in the face. Vera stood over the felled Caicedo, offering his opinion on the matter before players from both sides intervened. Vera was immediately shown his second yellow card of the match, resulting in his expulsion. During the review process, the yellow card was rescinded and he was given a straight red card for the violent conduct.

But it was Caicedo who had the last laugh, once again taking advantage of the RSL defender’s discomfort with the ball. Sufficiently recovered from the bludgeoning he received from Vera, Caicedo’s tireless pressure paid off when he won possession of the ball close to goal. Caicedo found Bassi inside the penalty area, who played him right back, giving Caicedo a simple finish to the far post for Houston’s third goal on the night mere seconds before the final whistle.

With the win, Houston becomes just the eighth Texas club to reach the Final.

 

2023 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Houston Dynamo win in Chicago following offensive explosion

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Photo: Houston Dynamo
Photo: Houston Dynamo

Going into Tuesday night, the focus was mainly on the Chicago Fire. They were the ones at home at SeatGeek Stadium. They were the ones going after a historic fifth US Open Cup title. They were the ones who really needed a win. The Houston Dynamo did not care for any of that. They rocked up and outplayed the hosts for most of the contest, ultimately coming away with a 4-1 victory to book their spot in the Semifinals of the competition.

“I’m super excited to just keep moving in this tournament,” said Houston head coach Ben Olsen. “We’ve advanced in an important competition, one we’ve taken seriously from the start, and we’re looking forward to being in the Semifinals and trying to create a culture of winning.”

After a back-and-forth start to the contest, Houston opened the scoring. Arnaud Souquet tripped up a streaking Nelson Quiñónes, and the referee decided that it was enough contact to point to the spot. Amine Bassi stepped up to take the spot-kick, and he calmly converted it with a powerful strike down the middle.

“It took a little sting out of the crowd. They’re a good team, and it was a good atmosphere,” Olsen said.

Bassi had a big chance to double the advantage about five minutes later, as a loose ball fell perfectly to him on the edge of the penalty area. His first-time effort was decent, but Spencer Richey was able to make the important save.

It was 2-0 at the half hour mark, though. Hitting on the break, the Dynamo had two men flying forward. Ibrahim Aliyu was on the ball, and he smartly went for goal himself, passing the ball towards the near post and into the back of the net.

Things were looking bad for the hosts, but they found a lifeline before the break. A corner picked out Arnaud Souquet, and his header was perfect, as he redirected the ball into the bottom corner to halve the deficit.

The Fire came out hot to start the second half, and they were robbed of a clear penalty. Brian Gutiérrez was brought down by an onrushing Andrew Tarbell, who missed the ball completely. However, the referee saw otherwise, giving a corner kick instead of a penalty, showing the need for VAR in this part of the USOC.

Despite their spell of dominance, it was the Dynamo who scored next. A mazy run from Quiñónes led to him getting a strong shot off, and even though his attempt was saved, the rebound fell right to Aliyu for an easy tap-in.

“We dodged a couple of bullets in the first half, and we did a better job in the second half in terms of fixing things,” Olsen said. “It was a scrappy game. The field wasn’t perfect, and that led to more duels. It becomes more of a true cup game, a true fight. We had to make sure we were up for that.”

Chicago sent bodies forward in search of a goal, but that cost them. Houston hit on the break once again, with Héctor Herrera blowing by his marker before setting up Quiñónes for a simple finish at the back post.

“The goal was a reward for a really good performance,” Olsen said when asked about Quiñónes. “He’s simplified his game and boiled it down to the areas where he can have success. Offensively he’s got real pace and quality and technical ability. His talent is scary. He also gave a real shift on the defensive end, constantly getting back in the right spot, constantly helping match the numbers down the flank.”

“Our transition was good,” Olsen said. “Seeing out goals in the run of the play has been better as of late, but scoring goals and that final ball has haunted us, so it was nice to score a bunch tonight.”

That killed off the contest, and the Dynamo held on to secure the victory. They now await the winner of Wednesday’s Quarterfinal between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake.

“When we came here we wanted to change the culture. Wins help change that,” Olsen said. “It’s nice to advance, get to the Semifinals, put yourself in a spot to be two games away from a trophy. It won’t be easy, every round gets more difficult, but we’re thrilled to be one of the remaining four teams.”

2023 US Open Cup Round of 16: Corey Baird of Houston Dynamo voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

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Photo: Houston Dynamo
Photo: Houston Dynamo

Twenty two months ago, the Houston Dynamo obtained forward Corey Baird in a trade with LAFC for cash and international slot. The 27 year old, in the Round of 16 of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, showed why Houston wanted him so badly. Baird had a hand in all four Houston goals in a 4-0 rout of Minnesota United FC.

As a result, Baird was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

Baird ran away with the voting for the award. Albert Dikwa (Pittsburgh Riverhounds) finished second, with a pair of goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg (Birmingham Legion FC) and Alec Kann (FC Cincinnati) also receiving strong support. The Player of the Round award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters and select backers (those that pledge $10 or more) of TheCup.us’ Patreon team.

Baird began his night converting a penalty kick in the 33rd minute. The conversion came after a handball call in the box against the reigning Player of the Round winner Bongokuhle Hlongwane. Five minutes later, El Naranja were up a man following a red card for card accumulation against Minnesota’s Kevin Arriega.

In the 68th minute, the 2018 MLS Rookie of the Year secured the brace. His second goal presented a much different style. Unlike the penalty conversion that he buried past Minnesota goalkeeper Clint Irwin, Baird took a through ball from Amini Bassi and calmly chipped a right footed shot over the onrushing keeper from the center of the box. The Houston forward’s career night continued moments later when he assisted on the Dynamo’s third goal of the match. His pass found an unmarked Ibrahim Aliyu at the top of the 18 yard box. Aliyu slotted it past Irwin for the third Dynamo marker of the night in the 79th minute. Baird turned his brace into a hat trick in the 89th minute of play. This time Baird put it past the Loons keeper with his left foot. The breakout night for the Houston forward has been long in the making. Now with his third Houston head coach in less than three seasons, the Poway, Calif. native may be finally finding his footing under current head coach Ben Olsen.

“It’s really nice to have some forwards get on the scoresheet,” Olsen said. “Corey, obviously, with a few goals, and that’s going to help him in a big way.”

Baird may be the answer to Houston continuing its strong run of play through the US Open Cup and bringing the Houston Dynamo back to soccer relevancy.

2023 US Open Cup Round of 16: Corey Baird’s big night helps Houston Dynamo cruise past 10-man Minnesota United

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Corey Baird of the Houston Dynamo celebrates after scoring his third goal against Minnesota United in the Round of 16 of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Houston Dynamo
Corey Baird of the Houston Dynamo celebrates after scoring his third goal against Minnesota United in the Round of 16 of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Houston Dynamo

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.


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.

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 

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.

 

2023 US Open Cup Round 4: Shorthanded Houston Dynamo gives “complete effort” to edge Sporting KC

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Thor Ulfarsson and Sebastian Ferreira of the Houston Dynamo celebrate after Ulfarsson's goal against Sporting KC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Houston Dynamo
Thor Ulfarsson and Sebastian Ferreira of the Houston Dynamo celebrate after Ulfarsson’s goal against Sporting KC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo in the Round of 32 looking to continue the magic at home for the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match struck first against Sporting Kansas City and never looked back.

Houston Dynamo We Want The Cup shirt US Open Cup
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP


The Dynamo playing much like 2018 when they found magic in a bottle and won their first US Open Cup title, Houston moved on to the Round of 16 with a 1-0 win despite playing a man down for 55 minutes.

Thor Uhlfarrson, the Icelander looking to claim more playing time in the regular season, put Houston on top in the 12th minute of play with a left footed banger from 25 yards out. Kansas City had made the initial clearance off a quick counter but the ball landed right at the feet of Houston’s second year forward. A quick switch to the left foot and Uhlfarrson put it inside the near post past a diving John Puhlskamp.

The goal came just moments after SKC forward Stephen Afrifa missed from the doorstep. Sporting had other opportunities to level the match but could not find the equalizer against Dynamo keeper Andrew Tarbell who was peppered with 17 shots. Conversely, the shorthanded Dynamo only managed two shots and the only one that was on target was the one that went in.

In the 55th minute, Khiry Shelton knocked one off the post for Sporting. It was the second time in the match that the frame saved Houston. Chris Rindov’s header went off the crossbar in the opening half.

Neither side played a majority their top players yet Houston was able to secure their seventh clean sheet of the season across all competitions including six at home where they remain unbeaten in 2023 and have not been scored on. Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen was happy about the effort.

“Overall, super pleased with the result and we are moving on in the tournament. More so than that, it is just amazing what you can do when everybody is selfless and gives a complete effort,” described Olsen. “It’s a lot of guys that have not gotten a lot of minutes, not only up until this point, but also collectively. So the rhythms are off. I put them in a new structure from the get-go, that we worked on for a few days, and that wasn’t ever going to be perfect. So, at the end of all this kind of craziness, and in the game, somehow, we got through it.”

This matchup between Houston and Kansas City is becoming an Open Cup tradition in recent years. This was the sixth meeting between the two MLS sides, and those games have taken place in the last seven tournaments. With Wednesday’s win, the Dynamo have evened up the Open Cup series with the four-time Open Cup champions at 3-3. Only three sets of rivals in the Modern Era of the tournament had played more often than these two teams. (Seattle Sounders FC and Portland Timbers FC top the list with eight meetings)

They now await the draw for the Round of 16 that takes place tomorrow at 1:00pm CT on the B/R Football YouTube Channel.

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Teenager Brooklyn Raines gives Houston Dynamo win over Tampa Bay Rowdies

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Brooklyn Raines of the Houston Dynamo attempts a shot against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Houston Dynamo
Brooklyn Raines of the Houston Dynamo attempts a shot against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo earned a narrow shutout win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies on the road, despite the home team’s best efforts to pull off an “cupset”. A first half goal by Houston’s 18-year-old homegrown signing Brooklyn Raines just before halftime was the difference as the Rowdies’ valiant effort in St. Petersburg, Fla. fell short. Despite being a lower-division squad, the Rowdies pushed their first-tier opponents Houston Dynamo right to the end — literally — with the last kick of the game being a shot blocked out to touch as Houston advanced in a 1-0 Third Round US Open Cup victory.

The Rowdies will desperately want those chances back, but the Dynamo left St. Petersburg, Fla. with a win in their opening game of the tournament for the ninth year in a row. 


From the first minute, each team seemed up for the occasion. The pressure was high and the club from Texas got the better of the early passages. Two set pieces to the far post found their man and the ball back into the middle was dangerous on both plays. However, the second-division Rowdies fought their way back and began to settle into a rhythm of their own. With cross field switches to men in space, Tampa Bay tried to break down the wings where they could whip a ball in or even shoot from far. Nothing would get close enough, though.

As the halftime whistle neared and the score remained level, Corey Baird found himself in space on the wing for Houston multiple times. The Dynamo tried to find him quickly, but could not do so before the 43rd minute. However, the break was on. The zone vacated by Tampa Bay’s 17-year-old left wingback became a trap after looking so open beforehand. Baird was closed down by left center back Aaron Guillen, only to find the streaking Brooklyn Raines open at the top of the box. A late tracking run from Johnson was not enough to put Raines off his shot, and the Orange went in 1-0 at the break.

The second half presented an entirely different game from the first. Houston took off their goalscorer at halftime as well as their most famous player, Mexican central midfielder Hector Herrera. In their place came on players whose job would be to slow the game down, maintain control, and keep the Rowdies at bay. Further substitutions over the rest of the half did not allow the Dynamo to do that, however, and Tampa Bay came storming back.

Needing a goal to stay alive, the Rowdies made several attacking changes and hoped the fresh legs would lead to more opportunities. After hitting the post in the first half, Tampa Bay threw wave after wave at their Major League counterparts and did everything they could to find an equalizer. Conner Antley and second-half subs Dayonn Harris and Ryan Spaulding all had cross after cross repelled or blocked wide, while usual second-stringer Andrew Tarbell proved his worth in net for the Dynamo.

Good buildup went to waste in the end, as no player in Green and Gold could put it in the back of the net. After the game, manager Neill Collins — still serving a suspension following a contentious Open Cup match in 2022 versus Orlando City — said his Rowdies team could look upon their effort with pride even if they never got what they needed. He said they finally played the typical Rowdies way after what has been a very slow start to the USL season.

On the other side of things, Houston will take heart from their ability to weather a beating and come out on the other side. They bent and were bent, but they never broke. In their gray jerseys, the Dynamo drew like clouds over Tampa Bay, and spoiled a party for the locals. This experience will serve their young goalscorer well as they try to build as a team on this win for the Fourth Round to come.

2022 US Open Cup Round 5: Johnny Russell’s brace, leadership pushes Sporting KC past Houston Dynamo

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Johnny Russell of Sporting KC celebrates after scoring a goal against the Houston Dynamo in the Fifth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC
Johnny Russell of Sporting KC celebrates after scoring a goal against the Houston Dynamo in the Fifth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC

When you are the captain of a club, you are the heartbeat, you represent everything that happens to that club whether it is on or off the pitch. When Sporting Kansas City needed him, the captain responded. Thanks to Johnny Russell’s brace, Sporting Kansas City defeated Houston Dynamo 2-1 in the 2022 US Open Cup Round of 16.

It has become one of the most common, and most competitive matchups of the Open Cup’s Modern Era with these two teams squaring off in five of the last six tournaments.  With Wednesday’s win, Sporting has claimed three victories in those five meetings. In the two previous victories over the Dynamo in the Open Cup (2015, 2017), Kansas City would go on to lift the trophy.

The win earns KC a third straight home game in the competition in the Quarterfinals where they will host Union Omaha (USL League One) the week of June 21-22. (Date/Time TBA)

Houston opened the scoring in the 41st minute as Corey Baird received a through ball in-between Sporting’s center backs. The pass came from 2019 TheCup.us Player of the Tournament Darwin Quintero who found Baird nicely. Baird calmly slotted the shot around Sporting’s goalkeeper John Pulskamp. 

Houston led 1-0 at the halftime break as Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes brought on Khiry Shelton and Roger Espinoza into the lineup. The impact of these subs seemed to work instantly as the team began to gel more.

The tying goal came shorty after the halftime break as Dynamo tried to clear the ball away from a Logan Ndenbe cross. But, it went as far as Russell was only five yards outside of the box. 

Russell used an incredible soft touch to bring the ball out of the air. Four Dynamo defenders surrounded the Scottish international. He broke loose and fired a shot low and hard towards the goal which bounced out of the reach of Dynamo keeper Michael Nelson. 

“I think we created chances in the first half. There was just a couple of little tactical things that we had worked on that we weren’t doing on the field,” Russell said. “I think we stepped higher as a team. When we’ve got the energy and the guys that can press the way that we can, we won a lot of balls up the field and that equates to chances and we took them.”

In the 72nd minute, Sporting were on the attack, once again. Daniel Salloi received the ball outside of the box on the right wing and drove towards the byline. He got around Houston’s Daniel Steres who put out a leg and brought Salloi to the ground. The referee blew his whistle and the penalty was called. 

Johnny Russell of Sporting KC talks to his teammates in the huddle before the club's 2022 US Open Cup Fifth Round match against the Houston Dynamo. Photo: Sporting KC
Johnny Russell of Sporting KC talks to his teammates in the huddle before the club’s 2022 US Open Cup Fifth Round match against the Houston Dynamo. Photo: Sporting KC

Stepping to the spot, the captain. Russell placed the ball to the ground and delivered a gorgeous penalty that flew into the right portion of the goal. Nelson guessed correctly, but Russell’s shot was too powerful. 

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

“It’s what the captain is supposed to do. At the end of the day, that’s why he’s the captain and I don’t mean that comically. He’s the captain. He’s the leader,” Vermes said. “That’s why the guys respect him. He brings it to the game, week in and week out, and that’s why the team follows him.”

The two goals for Russell was the difference on the night as Kansas City continued to control the game, until the Dynamo tried to equalize. The best chance for Houston came in the 80 minute when Fafa Picault received the ball on the left wing and sprinted towards Pulskamp. Picault fired a low shot which Pulskamp stood strong denying the Colombian.

Full time whistle blared and Kansas City finished as the victors in the Round of 16, earning the club a 12th quarterfinal appearance, which ranks fifth-most in the history of the tournament. 

Union Omaha awaits for Sporting Kansas City. The third division club knocked off Minnesota United 2-1, which has caught Vermes’ attention. 

US Open Cup Quarterfinal
appearances (1913-present)
1. Kutis SC – 17
2. FC Dallas – 16
3. Chicago Fire – 14
4. LA Galaxy – 13
5. Greek American AC (Calif.) – 12
5. Ukrainian Nationals – 12
5. SPORTING KC – 12

“They got this far for a reason, obviously. They’re playing well. We have to get ourselves prepared, at least for this weekend,” Vermes said. “When that game comes around, believe me, we will do everything that we have to try to put our best group out there and we will fight with everything we have because we know that’s going to be an incredibly difficult game.” 

Kansas City and Union Omaha have a history as the club from Nebraska coached by Jay Mims played Sporting II in a preseason friendly this year. Vermes shared their relationship bluntly. 

“I know him, but it’s not like we hang out every night,” Vermes said with a smile. 

Mims will bring his Union Omaha side to Sporting Kansas City in the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals on Wednesday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. 

2022 US Open Cup Round 4: Carlos Ferreira’s late goal helps Houston Dynamo beat upset-minded San Antonio FC

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Players from the Houston Dynamo celebrate after scoring a goal against San Antonio FC in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Houston Dynamo
Players from the Houston Dynamo celebrate after scoring a goal against San Antonio FC in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Houston Dynamo

With Texas bragging rights on the line, the Houston Dynamo scored late and held off a late charge by San Antonio FC to secure a berth in the Round of 16 of the 2022 US Open Cup with a 1-0 win.

A sparse crowd witnessed the match partly due to a late midweek start and the simple fact that Houston has dropped three consecutive matches.

San Antonio FC and Houston spent most of the match picking their counters. Were it not for a point-blank save by Dynamo keeper Michael Nelson in the 40th minute, SAFC would have enjoyed the halftime lead. The shot by Nicky Hernandez was the only one on target off 12 combined shots by both sides in the opening 45.

The second half was more of the same until the teams came out of the hydration break for the final 15 minutes of regulation. In the 81st minute, Brooklyn Raines — the youngest player on the pitch at 17 years old — won a corner for Houston. The ensuing kick came to Sam Junqua who delivered a perfect service to Sebastian Ferreria. The Dynamo’s leading scorer across all competitions gave Houston the win on his final touch of the match in the 82nd minute.

The win was not without its nervous moments in the second half following Ferreria’s goal. In the second minute of stoppage, a dangerous San Antonio corner came across the goal mouth where SAFC were sure Griffin Dorsey handled it off the line. Play was allowed to continue and Houston came away with the win.

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Dynamo head coach Paolo Nagamura said before the match “We as a team, we’re going to make sure that we get back to our ways, how we were a couple of weeks ago. Especially in the beginning of the season when we were a disciplined, cohesive team playing together, balanced defensively and offensively team.”

Following the match, Nagamura who won three Open Cups himself was pleased with his team’s performancespeaking nearly the same words. “I think we were well balanced.  It was a very, very good team performance. Defensively, offensively, we are well balanced. I mentioned the word urgency in the second half, we played with purpose and it gave us more opportunities to play on their half and create more chances. So, I think it was a well-balanced team performance.”

“Great win, first half we were a little slow, second half I think we were much better. Well deserved win. Really pleased with how we played the last five minutes,” he said. “Very very good team performance. I think we were well balanced.”

The Dynamo return to MLS action on Saturday May 14, 2022 against Nashville SC at PNC Stadium in Houston. Kick-off is set for 5:30pm CDT.

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