The Houston Dynamo defeated Miami FC of the USSF Second Division on a Lovel Palmer late goal, and held leading Open Cup scorer Paulo Araujo, Jr. scoreless.
Houston started quickly, dominating the first ten minutes, however Araujo had Miami on the counterattack quickly. He had two shots in a 5 minute span, however Dynamo keeper Tally Hall kept both shots out of the net. Play evened out, and neither team could capitalize on their chances in the half.
Houston gained more attacking chances in the second half, however Miami keeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell proved up to the task, including blocking a Penalty Kick from the Dynamo’s Richard Mulrooney at 50′. However, 80 minutes into the match, Houston’s Dominic Oduro got a pass into a streaking Palmer, a halftime sub, who slid the ball underneath Patterson-Sewell.
Miami quickly counterattacked, as Abe Cunningham, a former Dynamo player, quickly came back with a shot, but Hall was able to save it. Miami’s comeback was squashed, however, as J.P. Rodrigues was given a second yellow card at 83′. This prompted Miami to go all-or-nothing, as midfielder Steven Cabas replaced defender Christiano Dias. This backfired, as Houston took advantage of the thin defense to control the rest of the game.
Houston will host fellow MLS side Chivas USA in the Quarterfinal Round on July 6. Miami’s Araujo finished his Open Cup campaign with 5 goals, three more than any player still in the tournament.
GOALS:
HOU- Palmer (Oduro) 80′
DISCIPLINE:
MIA- Patterson-Sewell 48′ (yellow, Reckless foul)
MIA- Rodrigues 66′ (yellow, Reckless foul)
MIA- Rodrigues 83′ (second yellow/red, Reckless foul)
SUBSTITUTIONS:
HOU- Chabala for Landin, 43′
HOU- Palmer for Cochrane, 46′
HOU- Cruz for Mulrooney, 76′
MIA- Shriver for Santeliz, 76′
MIA- Cabas for Dias, 84′