Houston Dynamo

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.

Test your US Open Cup knowledge for chance to win Philadelphia Union jersey, Houston Dynamo scarf

September 20, 2018 by Josh Hakala

UPDATE (9/26/18 12 p.m. ET)
The 105th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will wrap up tonight when the Houston Dynamo host the Philadelphia Union at BBVA Compass Stadium tonight. Both teams are seeking their first US Open Cup title.

Thanks to the Philadelphia Union, and now the Houston Dynamo, TheCup.us are giving fans a chance to win some outstanding prizes.

Union fans have a chance to win one of the club’s limited edition Bethlehem Steel-inspired warm-up jerseys. The team made the jerseys available as a stadium exclusive and it’s not a surprise that they sold out quickly.

To have a chance to win one of these jerseys, and a US Open Cup-style Union hat, all you have to do is to answer a US Open Cup-themed trivia question:

Which Philadelphia-based soccer player has scored the most career US Open Cup Final goals in tournament history (1913-2017)?

(NOTE: This is goals scored in the championship game, not the overall tournament)

For Houston Dynamo fans, they have a chance to win a limited edition 2018 US Open Cup Final scarf or a “Queremos La Copa” t-shirt (size: Large)

Here is the question:

Only one player between the two rosters tonight has contributed to a goal in the US Open Cup (either by scoring a goal or having a direct assist) for an amateur team AND a MLS team in their career. Name that player.

(Hint: This player plays for the Houston Dynamo)

All correct answers will be put into a drawing with one person receiving the jersey and another to receive the hat. One entry per person. Please do NOT post your answer to social media, send your answer using our contact form HERE.

Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 26.

2018 US Open Cup Final to air on ESPN channel for fourth year in a row

August 20, 2018 by Josh Hakala

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced the broadcast plans for the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final.

For the fourth year in a row, the championship game for the United States’ oldest cup competition will air on the ESPN family of networks. In addition to being broadcast live on ESPN2, the game can also be seen on the Univision Deportes Network.

The 105th edition of the US Open Cup Final will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas as the hometown Houston Dynamo will host the Philadelphia Union. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

Both teams are seeking their first US Open Cup title, which will not only earn them $300,000 in prize money but will qualify them for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. The runner-up will receive $100,000. Both prize money amounts were increased from 2017, up from $250,000 and $60,000, respectively.

The Union are seeking to become the first Philadelphia-area team to lift the trophy since 1966, while the Dynamo are looking to become the first team from South Texas to win the tournament.

The US Open Cup Final has been broadcast on television since 1994, with the only exception being the 1996 title game. Aside from the last four years, ESPN has only held the rights to the championship game one time when the Rochester Raging Rhinos pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest surprises when they became the only lower division team to win the tournament since Major League Soccer joined the competition in 1996.

US Open Cup Championship Match Broadcast Networks
(Since 1994)

2018 – ESPN2 / Univision Deportes
2017 – ESPN2 / ESPN Deportes
2016 – ESPN2 / Univision Deportes
2015 – ESPN2 / Univision Deportes
2014 – GolTV
2013 – GolTV
2012 – GolTV
2011 – Fox Soccer Channel
2010 – Fox Soccer Channel
2009 – Fox Soccer Channel
2008 – Fox Soccer Channel
2007 – Fox Soccer Channel
2006 – Fox Soccer Channel
2005 – GolTV
2004 – GolTV
2003 – Fox Sports World
2002 – Fox Sports World
2001 – Fox Sports World
2000 – Fox Sports World
1999 – ESPN2
1998 – Fox Sports Net
1997 – Fox Sports Net
1996 – No broadcast
1995 – Prime Network
1994 – Prime Network

2018 US Open Cup Semifinals: Hat trick by Diego Rossi earns him TheCup.us Player of the Round despite LAFC not advancing

August 14, 2018 by Louis Roesch

Diego Rossi of LAFC celebrates one of his three goals against the Houston Dynamo in the 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals. The match finished in a 3-3 draw and the Dynamo prevailed 7-6 on penalty kicks. Photo: Houston Dynamo

Los Angeles FC forward Diego Rossi has been voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Semifinals of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Rossi’s hat trick wasn’t just another superb performance by the young Uruguyuan but it was historic despite the fact that Houston edged out the Black and Gold on penalty kicks 7-6 after a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes.

It was two-man race for the award as Philadelphia’s Cory Burke had a brace in the Union’s 3-0 semifinal win against the Chicago Fire and finished second. Burke’s teammate, and the man who assisted on both of his goals, Alejandro Bedoya, finished a distant third.

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

Rossi, in a season of firsts for the MLS expansion side Los Angeles FC, tied David Ochoa (Miami United FC) for the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup scoring lead with his three-goal performance.

Rossi signed in December has been as clutch for LAFC as clutch can be. In March, he scored the team’s first-ever goal in their first win against the Seattle Sounders. Since that first goal, he has climbed the ladder on the MLS stat sheets adding six more goals and six assists. Add in five more goals and an assist in US Open Cup play and the 20-year-old has 12 goals and seven assists in 25 games.

The former Penarol forward began his Player of the Round performance with what has become his trademark, sprinting into space to receive a ball from a teammate this time it was Lee Nguyen. He slotted it past Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Joe Willis in the sixth minute to give LAFC the opening goal of the game. It would be their only lead of the night.

“I’m always trying to help the team by finding space,” Rossi told MLSsoccer.com in their Rising Star series. “Being smart on the ball and continuing to be mobile.”

Late in the game, with LAFC trailing 3-1, Rossi showed the Houston Dynamo why he was labeled by the MLS piece as “A defender’s worst nightmare.”

In the 78^th minute, Jordan Harvey raced towards the endline before delivering a service into the box. The ball deflected off Houston’s Andrew Wenger and then off the head of Adolfo Machado before landing at the feet of Rossi. The former Uruguyuan Under-20 champion settled and deftly placed a left-footed boot inside the far post.

Now within a goal, Rossi and company were not to be denied. The second-highest scoring team in Major League Soccer received a free kick just outside the Dynamo box late in second half stoppage time. Willis, charging off his line, deflected the Aaron Kovar delivery on one bounce to an unmarked Diego Rossi. With a flick of his head, Rossi not only tied the match but settled into the record books as the first Uruguayan to score a hat trick in the Modern Era (1995-present) after the Quarterfinals. He also became the first Uruguayan to score a hat trick in the Modern Era and the first to win the Player of the Round award.

After a scoreless 30 minutes of extra time, the match went into penalty kicks where the Dynamo prevailed, 7-6. Rossi converted his penalty kick attempt in Round 7, only to see Latif Blessing’s attempt saved in the next round which would prove to be the difference.

Rossi is the only player to win a “Round” award and not advance (NOTE: Chris Eylander of the Seattle Sounders won TheCup.us Player of the Tournament award despite being eliminated in the Semifinals).

“Diego has been great. He’s young, energetic. When he gets near the goal, he’s pretty clinical,” teammate Steven Beitashour said following a Rossi brace in mid-March. “There’s a reason we brought him here.”

And now, despite LAFC being eliminated in the Semifinals, the rest of the soccer world understands that reason too following Rossi’s historic performance.

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)
Semifinals: Diego Rossi (Los Angeles FC, MLS)

2018 US Open Cup Semifinals: Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round?

August 12, 2018 by Josh Hakala

There were only two games in the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals, but there were plenty of impressive individual performances to choose from for TheCup.us Player of the Round. The staff of TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters will be voting for the award and while the votes are being cast and tallied up, check out the list of nominees below (in alphabetical order) and tell us who YOU think deserves to win on Facebook or Twitter:

Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union, MLS): Bedoya started and played all 90 minutes and assisted on both of Cory Burke’s goals in a 3-0 home win over the Chicago Fire (MLS).

Cory Burke (Philadelphia Union, MLS): Burke started and played 81 minutes and scored the first two goals for the Union in a 3-0 home win over the Chicago Fire (MLS).

Jack Elliott (Philadelphia Union, MLS): Elliott started in place of the injured Mark McKenzie and played 90 minutes was part of a Union defense that held the Chicago Fire to just eight shots and goalkeeper Andre Blake only had to make one save in Philadelphia’s 3-0 home win over Chicago.

Memo Rodriguez (Houston Dynamo, MLS): Rodriguez came off the bench in the 72nd minute and scored the third goal of the game three minutes later in the Houston Dynamo’s 3-3 draw (7-6 PK win) over LAFC (MLS). Rodriguez also converted his PK attempt in the shootout.

Diego Rossi (Los Angeles FC, MLS): Rossi scored all three goals for LAFC and played all 120 minutes in a 3-3 road draw (7-6 PK loss) at the Houston Dynamo. Down 3-1, Rossi scored to make it 3-2 and then his third goal came deep in second half stoppage time to force extra time. He also converted his penalty kick attempt in the shootout. He is the first Modern Era player (and the first Uruguayan) to score a hat trick in the Semifinals.

Andrew Wenger (Houston Dynamo, MLS): Wenger scored the Dynamo’s first goal of the game in the 12th minute (answering an early goal by Diego Rossi) and he started and played the entire 120 minutes in Houston’s 3-3 draw vs. LAFC (MLS). Wenger also converted the second-to-last PK in the shootout in Round 7.

2018 US Open Cup Semifinals: Houston Dynamo survive Rossi’s LAFC comeback, reach Final in PKs

August 9, 2018 by Louis Roesch

It may have taken 131 minutes of soccer including stoppage time and an eight-round penalty kick shootout but the third time was still the history-making charm for the Houston Dynamo as they advanced to the 2018 US Open Cup Final. The Dynamo made history in front of the home crowd at BBVA Compass Stadium turning a 3-3 draw into a dramatic 7-6 shootout win over Los Angeles FC and continuing the quest for the team’s first US Open Cup title.

The victory marked the first time Houston has advanced to the Final in three tries. The Dynamo had reached the Semifinals in 2006 and 2009 and now, in 2018, winning the tournament is an important goal for the team.

“I am proud of this team,” said a relieved and happy Houston head coach Wilmer Cabrera. “This team has never given up. Despite we were ahead, they tied.”

Memo Rodriguez came off the bench to give Houston a 3-1 lead in the 75th minute, but Diego 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. Rossi became the first player in the Modern Era (1995-present) to score a hat trick after the Quarterfinals. But Houston goalkeeper Joe Willis made a pair of saves in the shootout to make the Dynamo just the second South Texas team in tournament history to reach the championship game (El Paso Patriots in 1995).

LAFC forward Diego Rossi slipped in behind the defense before slotting a ball between the legs of an on-charging Willis in the sixth minute of play.

The Dynamo, who are 23-7-7 at home under Cabrera over the last two seasons, showcased their resiliency and tenacity mere moments after the Black and Gold claimed the lead. Andrew Wenger leveled the match in the 12th minute as an Adam Lundqvuist corner kick found the Dynamo midfielder all alone at the back post for the easy tap-in.

Thirteen minutes after the equalizer, Mauro Manotas scored his fourth goal of the tournament to give Houston a 2-1 lead that they would take into the halftime break. His four goals is tied for second-most in the 2018 US Open Cup. For Manotas, it was his eighth career Open Cup goal in nine appearances, which is, by far, the most of any Dynamo player. No Houston player in team history has scored more than three goals in the competition.

Houston’s Memo Rodriguez came off the bench to replace the reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round Romell Quioto in the 72nd minute and he would make an immediate impact three minutes later.

Tomas Martinez played a ball to Rodriguez on the left wing and the homegrown player found just enough space to fire a low-driving shot toward the near post that narrowly beat LAFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller. It was the third goal of the tournament for Rodriguez and the fourth of his career.

“It’s an incredible feeling to get a goal in front of the hometown crowd,” said Rodriguez about his goal that gave Houston a two-goal lead with 15 minutes left in regulation. “You always have to be ready when you come on the pitch to make an impact for the team.”

Joe Willis of the Houston Dynamo makes one of his two saves in the PK shootout against LAFC in the 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals. The Dynamo won the shootout 7-6 after a 3-3 draw. Photo: Houston Dynamo

Trailing 3-1, LAFC, the upstart expansion team in Major League Soccer, went to work. Rossi punched home a bouncing ball inside the box in the 78th minute to cut the deficit to one. Then he completed his historic hat trick five minutes into stoppage time when a free kick from the right wing caused problems for Willis. The netminder tried to punch the ball away which allowed Rossi on the right side of the box to head the ball back toward goal and inside the far post.

For Rossi, he became the first Uruguayan to score a hat trick in the Modern Era and he finished the game with five Open Cup goals, which ties him with David Ochoa of Miami United FC (NPSL) for the tournament lead. The last hat trick scored in the Semifinals came in 1993 when Jose Angulo of CD Mexico (now El Farolito) scored three in a 3-1 extra time win over Bavarian SC.

Neither side could find the game winner in extra time which meant a semifinal match had to be decided by a penalty kick shootout for just the 10th time in the tournament’s 105-year history.

LAFC appeared to have the game in hand after Tyler Miller blocked Boniek Garcia, Houston’s fourth shooter but Joe Willis, no stranger to penalty kick shootouts, came through again. Willis was the goalkeeper for the 2013 US Open Cup winner D.C. United and posted a shootout win in the opening game against the Richmond Kickers.

Following the Garcia save, Willis saved Laurent Ciman’s attempt in Round 5, and then stopped Latif Blessing’s shot in the eighth round to send the Dynamo to the Final, which they will host on Sept. 26 against the Philadelphia Union.

“I wasn’t very happy with my game leading up to the penalties,” said Willis following the game. “So I was happy I could make a couple of saves and help the team advance to the final.”

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

FULL MATCH REPLAY

Moving on. #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/jPIZSpQyM9

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 9, 2018

2018 US Open Cup Semifinals Preview: Who will reach the 105th Final?

August 8, 2018 by Josh Hakala

The 105th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup are down to the final four as the tournament’s semifinal round kicks off on Wednesday night. The Semifinals feature three teams that are seeking their first-ever US Open Cup title and a fourth who are trying to make history by lifting the trophy for the fifth time.

No team in the history of the tournament has reached the Semifinals more than the Chicago Fire and they have their eyes on a fifth US Open Cup championship. However, they haven’t lifted the trophy since 2006 and if they are able to defeat the Philadelphia Union on the road on Wednesday night, they would host the championship game on Oct. 3.

The Fire will travel to face the Philadelphia Union who are trying to become the first Philadelphia area team to win the tournament since 1966 (Ukrainian Nationals). The Union have had two golden opportunities to win their first major trophy when they hosted the 2014 and the 2015 US Open Cup Final, but each time they lost a game that required extra time. In 2014, they lost to the Seattle Sounders 3-1 in extra time and in 2015 they lost in a penalty kick shootout to Sporting Kansas City.

In the other side of the bracket, the Houston Dynamo will not only try to win the US Open Cup for the first time, but they will try to become the first team from South Texas to win the tournament. They will square off with Los Angeles FC, a MLS expansion team who are looking to win a trophy in the club’s first season. The winner of this game will get to host the US Open Cup Final if the Philadelphia Union defeat the Chicago Fire.

There will be no television coverage of either game, but there will be an online stream available on USSoccer.com.

Check out a preview and video links for each game below:

#USOC2018 coverage:
* 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2018 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* 2018 US Open Cup Player of the Round winners
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 3 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 4 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 5 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Quarterfinal review

MORE COVERAGE:
* Milwaukee’s Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title
* Which PDL teams will qualify for 2019 US Open Cup?
* 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

* Things you should know about the Semifinals of the US Open Cup

* 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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BROADCAST: ONLINE VIDEO STREAM

By Michael Berton

Four-time Open Cup winners Chicago Fire are two wins away from a record-tying fifth championship, but in their way are the Philadelphia Union, unbeaten in 13-straight Open Cup games and a two-time runner-up (2014, 2015). The Union is seeking its third Final appearance in the last five years and trying to end Philadelphia’s lengthy Open Cup title drought.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

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

Philadelphia’s 13-game unbeaten streak (8-0-5, 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 Alejandro Bedoya goal to earn a comfortable 1-0 win.

The Chicago Fire started its quest for a fifth US Open Cup title with two games on the road.

The Fire were taken to a shootout in the Fourth Round against Columbus Crew SC after a 2-2 draw. The shootout made it all the way to the goalkeepers, with Fire goalie Richard Sanchez scoring the go-ahead PK, then stopping his counterpart’s shot, to give his team a 10-9 penalty kick win. Chicago then pulled off one of the bigger upsets of this year’s tournament with a 1-0 win over Atlanta United. Facing the MLS leaders and their 41,012 rabid fans (the largest crowd to ever watch a US Open Cup game in the 105-year history of the tournament), Nemanja Nikolic netted his third goal of the competition in the 54th minute en route to a 1-0 victory. The Fire then avoided an upset in the Quarterfinals, defeating Louisville City FC, 4-0, to advance to their all-time record 13th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup semifinal.

CURRENT FORM

The Union’s uneven season continued since its Quarterfinal win over Orlando City. After losing at home, 3-1, to the Los Angeles Galaxy, Philadelphia went on the road for two games. The team earned a 3-1 win at the Houston Dynamo on July 25, but then fell to the Portland Timbers, 3-0, on Aug. 4 in a game where they rested a number of starters to prepare for Wednesday’s Open Cup game. They currently sit in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, two points out of the playoffs.

Chicago have not won a MLS game since June 30, losing six in a row overall and three in a row since beating Louisville City in the Quarterfinals. Since that Quarterfinal win, the Fire lost 2-1 at home to Toronto FC on July 21, 3-0 at Toronto FC on July 28, then 2-1 at Real Salt Lake on Aug. 4. Chicago is next-to-last in the Eastern Conference, six points behind the final playoff spot in the conference.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Philadelphia Union (MLS)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 15-3-6 (3-3 PK)
Home: 14-2-2 (1-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 7-3-5 (2-3 PK)
Best finish: Runner-Up (2014, 2015)

Chicago Fire (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 41-14-6 (4-2 PK)
Away: 15-13-3 (2-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 22-9-2 (2-0 PK)
Best finish: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006 champions

The Union are on a 13-game unbeaten streak in the Open Cup (matches that end in penalty kicks are officially listed as draws), and made the Semifinals for the first time since 2015. After falling in consecutive US Open Cup Finals in 2014 and 2015 to the Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City, respectively, the Union have been 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.

The Chicago Fire are the most successful MLS team in US Open Cup history, and one of the most successful all-time. They are one of eight clubs in the history of the 105-year-old US Open Cup to win four tournament championships (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006), but they have not lifted the trophy since 2006. No team in the history of the tournament has more Semifinals appearances (13) than the Fire, and only two teams (Kutis SC, FC Dallas) have more Quarterfinal appearances than Chicago’s 14. They are also the only club in the history of the tournament to reach four consecutive Semifinals twice (2003-06, 2013-16).

If the Fire reach the championship game, they would tie Maccabee AC (Los Angeles, Calif.) for the all-time record for most US Open Cup Final appearances with seven.

PAST MEETINGS

This is the second Open Cup meeting between the Union and Fire, and both meetings have come in the Semifinals. The first took place in 2015. The Union became the first Philadelphia team since 1964 to make back-to-back Finals by beating the Fire 1-0. In the 74th minute, Sebastien Le Toux added to his legendary Open Cup resume with his Modern Era record 15th career tournament goal. Le Toux just recently became Philadelphia’s first Ring of Honor inductee.

In MLS play, Philadelphia holds a narrow edge over Chicago at 9-8-5. The Union won both regular season meetings this year, including a 3-1 home win on May 30 and a 4-3 road win on July 11. The Union will be happy to host, as they hold a 6-2-2 record against the Fire at home, and earned a victory over Chicago at home in their only Open Cup meeting. In Open Cup play, the Union are 14-2-2 (1-1 PKs) all-time in tournament play at Talen Energy Stadium.

TOP SCORERS/PLAYERS

The Union are led by Borek Dockal, who leads the team in both goals and assists, with five and nine respectively. Haris Medunjanin and Alejandro Bedoya marshall the midfield, while they are led from the back by goalie Andre Blake. Cory Burke, who played big roles in the Union’s Open Cup wins, is tied for the team lead with five goals, and had a two-goal performance in his team’s last meeting against the Chicago Fire.

The Fire have been led to the Semifinals by star striker Nemanja Nikolic, who is tied for second place in the tournament with four goals and he has scored 10 goals in league play. Aleksander Katai is second on the team with nine league goals. The legendary Bastian Schweinsteiger leads his team with six assists. Richard Sanchez has 73 saves this season, and led Chicago to its penalty kick victory over Columbus Crew SC in the Fourth Round by making a pair of saves and also scoring the game-winning spot kick in the shootout.

WEATHER

As of the Sunday forecast, it will be hot and humid in the Philadelphia area with a 50% chance for thunderstorms.

BROADCAST: ONLINE VIDEO STREAM

By Thomas Hodul

The western Semifinal of the US Open Cup pits two sides both trying to reach the Final for the first time in their respective club’s history as the Houston Dynamo host 2018 MLS expansion side Los Angeles FC. The Dynamo have twice reached the Semifinals twice (2006, 2009). First, in 2006, they lost 3-1 to the LA Galaxy and then again in 2009 when they lost 2-1 in extra time to the eventual champion Seattle Sounders.

On the other side of the field, LAFC are making their first run in the tournament as a club, but are led by a man in Bob Bradley who is no stranger to winning this tournament, having done so twice with the Chicago Fire in 1998 and in 2000. Much like this years LAFC squad, Chicago was a MLS expansion side in 1998 meaning not only has Bob won this tournament twice, but he did so with an expansion side once already as well.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Round 4: 5-0 home win vs. NTX Rayados (USASA)
Round 5: 1-0 home win vs. Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 4-2 home win vs. Sporting KC (MLS)
Semifinals: home vs. Los Angeles FC (MLS)

Houston’s run to the Semifinals 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.

LAFC began their run to the Semifinals by knocking out USL side Fresno FC at home by a score of 2-0. Diego Rossi scored the first goal that night for LAFC before Latif Blessing, champion with Sporting KC last year, added a second. In the Second Round, they faced a difficult Sacramento Republic FC (USL) side who were coming off an upset over the Seattle Sounders in the previous round. LAFC twice had to come from behind to eventually win 3-2 when Man of the Match Diego Rossi, found Blessing for the winner in the 89^th minute.

In the Quarterfinals, LAFC defeated the Portland Timbers by the score of 3-2 in a game that would be more memorable by the drama that came after the game. However controversy would ensue post game when the Timbers filed a complaint with the US Open Cup committee over LAFC’s roster, leaving LAFC’s position in the Semifinals in doubt. In the end, the protest filed by Portland over an ineligible player fielded by LAFC was withdrawn as it was deemed “a good faith misunderstanding among U.S. Soccer, Major League Soccer and Los Angeles Football Club.”

CURRENT FORM

Houston currently sit in 10^th place in the 12-team MLS Western Conference. They are coming off three consecutive league losses including a 1-0 loss last weekend to Sporting Kansas City with their last point coming in a 1-1 draw in the Texas Derby to FC Dallas back on July 21.

LAFC has hit their first major bump in the road in their inaugural season, as they haven’t won in league play since July 7. They most recently lost away to the New York Red Bulls 2-1 this past weekend. Before that, they blew a 2-0 lead late to rival LA Galaxy to drop two points, and before that they were thrashed 5-1 by Minnesota United. However, the team is still comfortably in a playoff spot as they currently sit in fourth place in the MLS Western Conference.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

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

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. MLS: 1-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Los Angeles FC, an MLS expansion team, is experiencing the US Open Cup for the first time. Their leader is a two-time US Open Cup champion in head coach Bob Bradley who guided the expansion Chicago Fire to a tournament title in 1998, and another one in the club’s third year in 2000. He even guided the Metrostars (New York Red Bulls) to the US Open Cup Final in 2003 … losing to the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium.

Houston is also seeking their first US Open Cup Final appearance as the Dynamo have knocked on the door twice. 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.

PAST MEETINGS

The last time these two teams matched up it was the Houston Dynamo who came back from 2-0 down scoring in the 94^th and 96^th minute to earn the comeback win against LAFC who has all to often this season blown multiple-goal leads. To this point that is the only meeting between the two sides as their next MLS match doesn’t happen until the end of October.

TOP SCORERS/PLAYERS

Houston’s players to watch include Mauro Manotas who has score three times in three games so far in this year’s Open Cup. Manotas is the club’s all-time leading scorer (7 goals) in US Open Cup play and he scored a pair of goals in the Dynamo’s 4-2 win over Sporting Kansas City in the Quarterfinals. Romell Quioto also scored two goals against Sporting and was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round in the Quarterfinals for his two-goal effort against Sporting KC.

For LAFC players to watch are Latif Blessing who has said that this is his favorite tournament, having won it last year with Sporting KC. Latif helped LAFC reach this round with a goal in Round 4 and 5. The other player of note is Benny Feilhaber, who will be looking to lift the Open Cup Trophy for a third time in four years.

WEATHER

Clear skies are in the forecast but it will be warm and humid in Houston (nothing new to Houstonians).

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

2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals review: Protest drama, Chicago Fire end Louisville’s run, three first-timers advance

July 26, 2018 by Josh Hakala

When the dust settled on the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinals, all four home teams were victorious, leaving just one former tournament champion and three teams seeking to lift the trophy for the first time.

The home team was victorious in all four games. The four-time US Open Cup champion Chicago Fire put an end to Louisville City’s Cinderella run. The last remaining lower division side fell out of the tournament 4-0 as the Fire move one step closer to becoming the fourth team in tournament history to win five US Open Cup titles.

Elsewhere, the Houston Dynamo advanced to the Semifinals for the third time in club history with a 4-2 win over Sporting Kansas City, the reigning tournament champions. The Philadelphia Union only needed an early goal by Alejandro Bedoya to defeat Orlando City SC to reach the Semis for the fourth time in the last seven years.

The last game of the evening was MLS expansion team Los Angeles FC who not only made headlines with a 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers, but made headlines after the game when the Timbers filed a protest because LAFC had used too many international players (Pro teams are limited to five on their gameday roster). Reportedly, the US Soccer Federation approved LAFC’s roster in error, but Portland eventually withdrew their protest, allowing Bob Bradley’s squad to reach the final four.

Click below for links of our coverage, a brief summary of each game and links to the full match reports:

#USOC2018 coverage

News/Features

2018 Meet the Underdogs series

Qualifying

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FULL MATCH REPORT
In a hard fought battle between two teams trying to keep their winning momentum going from MLS play. The Philadelphia Union came out on top with a 1-0 win over Orlando City SC in the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Alejandro Bedoya got things going for the Union with a goal in the 4th minute after capitalizing on the rebound given from Orlando City SC goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr’s early save from a header off a corner kick by Mark McKenzie. Orlando City SC kept pushing throughout the game but couldn’t convert on their chances and saw their run in the US Open Cup come to an end. For Orlando City SC they will now focus on trying to get their season back on track and push for the MLS playoffs while the Union advance to the Semifinals for the fourth time in the last seven years as they seek to become the first Philadelphia team to win the US Open Cup since 1966.



FULL MATCH REPORT
The Chicago Fire had a dominating performance on the night with a 4-0 win over the 2017 USL Cup champion Louisville City FC. The Fire had four different goal scorers starting with a Nemanja Nikolic header that gave the Fire the lead in the 16th minute. They doubled their lead in the 32nd minute with a brilliant goal from Aleksandar Katai to give them a 2-0 lead heading into the halftime break. Later on in the match Louisville City FC defender Kyle Smith was sent off with ten minutes left and the Fire capitalized on the man advantage with two late goals from Diego Campos and Elliot Collier to seal the win. Louisville City FC ends its run in the Cup as the last lower division side remaining while for the Chicago Fire they move on to the Semifinals for the sixth time in the last eight years as the team tries to tie the all-time record with a fifth US Open Cup title.



FULL MATCH REPORT
The Houston Dynamo bounced back from an early deficit from the defending US Open Cup champions and completed a resounding 4-2 comeback win over Sporting Kansas City. Forward Johnny Russell got an early goal in the 2nd minute for Sporting Kansas City to give them an early lead but the Dynamo were patient with their chances and found the equalizer on an impressive free kick in the 35th minute with a goal from Romell Quioto to level the score. In the second half Quioto got his second goal with a shot in the 65th minute to give his side a 2-1 lead. A few minutes later, Mauro Manotas put the Dynamo up 3-1 before adding his third goal of the tournament in the 88th minute. Yohan Croizet scored a late consolation goal in stoppage time for Sporting Kansas City but in the end the Houston Dynamo did enough to knock the defending champs out of the tournament and advance to only their third semifinal appearance in club history.



FULL MATCH REPORT
Los Angeles FC continued their historic run in the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as they hung on to defeat the Portland Timbers 3-2 which snapped Portland’s 14-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. Things got started in the 33rd minute with an own goal from David Guzman to give LAFC the 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, Carlos Vela launched a shot into the back of the net for another goal for LAFC to give them a 2-0 lead. In first half stoppage time, the Timbers pulled one back when Julio Cascante headed a shot in off a free kick from Guzman to narrow LAFC’s lead to a single goal. In the second half, Marco Urena scored his first career LAFC goal when he flicked a shot off the side of his foot in the 51st minute to give LAFC a 3-1 lead. Seconds later, Portland answered with a blast from Vytas Andriuskevicius to trim the LAFC lead 3-2 but they were unable to find the equalizer in the final half hour of the match. While an entertaining match, the majority of the headlines were produced from what happened after the game. The Timbers filed a protest because LAFC had six international players on their gameday roster, which is more than the allowed five by US Open Cup rules. Sources from LAFC claimed that the USSF had erroneously approved the roster, but before a ruling could be made by the US Open Cup Disciplinary Committee, the Timbers withdrew their protest.The Timbers’ run in the 2018 US Open Cup came to an end and for Bob Bradley and LAFC, they advance to the Semifinals in their inaugural season. LAFC are aiming to join a short list of teams to win the tournament in their inaugural season in MLS, joining D.C. United (1996), the Seattle Sounders FC (2009) and Bob Bradley’s Chicago Fire in 1998.

2018 US Open Cup: Draw reveals Semifinal hosts, hosting priority for Final

July 23, 2018 by Josh Hakala

On Monday, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) performed the draw to determine which teams would host the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals. The USSF also determined the hosting priorities for the 105th US Open Cup Final.

The draw was originally scheduled for Thursday, July 19 but the Portland Timbers filed a protest against Los Angeles FC following LAFC’s 3-2 Quarterfinal win. The Disciplinary Committee was set to meet on Saturday, but before they could convene, the Timbers withdrew their protest.

The draw determined that Philadelphia Union would host Chicago Fire in the Semifinals and, in the other half of the bracket, the Houston Dynamo will host Los Angeles FC. Both games will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 8.

Houston and LAFC will kick off at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, while Philadelphia-Chicago will kick off at 7 p.m.

The winners will meet in the 105th edition of the US Open Cup on either Sept. 26 or Oct. 3, depending on the host.

The method for determining the host starts with the eligible teams applying to host and if the teams both meet the minimum venue standards the home team is determined by random draw.

If the Chicago Fire advances, they will host the Final on Oct. 3. If Chicago falls, the Houston Dynamo would be next up to host if they win. If both Chicago and Houston lose, LAFC will host a final against Philadelphia Union. If Chicago is not involved in the Final, the game will be held on Sept. 26. No kickoff times have been announced.

The Fire, who are seeking a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title, have hosted the Final three times (1998, 2000, 2006), but haven’t lifted the trophy since 2006.

LAFC are an expansion team but head coach Bob Bradley has won the tournament twice with the Fire, including in 1998 when they were an expansion team. The Open Cup Final hasn’t been held in Southern California since 2005 when the Galaxy won their second USOC title.

Houston have never reached the Final and a South Texas team has never won the US Open Cup. The Open Cup Final has been held in South Texas twice. The New York Pancyprian Freedoms won their third USOC title in Houston when they defeated Kutis SC (St. Louis) in 1983 and the El Paso Patriots lost in penalty kicks at home against the Richmond Kickers in 1995.

The city of Philadelphia hasn’t had a team win the tournament since 1966 (Ukrainian Nationals) but the Union had two cracks at it when they hosted the Final in 2014 and 2015. They lost to the Seattle Sounders in extra time (2014) and lost to Sporting Kansas City in PKs (2015).

In the Modern Era (1995-present), the home team is 13-5-2 (1-1 PKs) in the championship game and has won the last two.