Minnesota United

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

May 24, 2023 by Louis Roesch

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.

What a chip from Corey Baird! ????‍????????#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/6oqS9a1swU
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) May 24, 2023

The Houston Dynamo’s Brooklyn Raines shot on frame six minutes in set the tone for the home team. Houston got on the board just past the half hour mark on a penalty conversion by Baird. A handball inside the 18 yard box marked the beginning of a monumental moment for the 27 year old.

Houston went up a man as halftime neared when Minnesota midfielder Kevin Arriega was sent to an early shower on card accumulation. With the man advantage, the Dynamo displayed patience and pise picking their moments to be the most opportune.

Aliyu with his ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ????????????????????????!????#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/FKCjOoPpVa
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) May 24, 2023

Amine Bassi, who had not been expected to play, threaded the needle to Baird who chipped home his second goal in the 62nd minute. Eleven minutes later, Ibrahim Aliyu received a ball from Baird in the 79th minute and put away the third marker of the night for Houston.

As the game came to a close, Aliyu returned the favor as he found the forward in front of the net with seconds to play in regulation. Baird finished off the hat trick matching his entire output as a member of the Houston Dynamo over the past 22 months.

The hat trick was the first ever scored by a Houston Dynamo player in the US Open Cup

Corey Baird with his 3rd of the night!????????#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/auC1Z580GK
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) May 24, 2023

Houston will play on the road in the next round as they await the winner of the Austin FC/Chicago Fire match to determine whom they will play in the Quarterfinals.

2019 US Open Cup Semifinals: Mason Toye of Minnesota United voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

August 26, 2019 by Tim Abbott

Mason Toye of Minnesota United celebrates his goal against the Portland Timbers in the 2019 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Minnesota United

Minnesota United FC’s Mason Toye is another example of a young player who has used his performance in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup to earn playing time with the senior team. Toye has leveraged his goalscoring in the tournament into more regular playing time in Major League Soccer play and has earned him a reputation as a key piece of the club’s squad.

Toye’s 90th minute game-winner against the Houston Dynamo in the Round of 16 helped United reach the Quarterfinals for the first time in club history. He followed that up with a man of the match performance in the 2-1 win in the Semifinals against the Portland Timbers, scoring the game-winning goal in the 64th minute.

good morning…

…Hot Toye Summer continues pic.twitter.com/u7xD1cdC7x

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) August 8, 2019

Kevin Molino started the play with an outlet pass in front of Toye just past midfield. The New Jersey native ran on to the ball with Portland’s Claude Dielna closing in on him. As he approached the 18-yard box, he sent a curling shot that beat Portland’s Steve Clark who had come off his line and found its way into the side netting.

Mason Toye of Minnesota United dribbles the ball just before scoring his goal against the Portland Timbers in the 2019 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Minnesota United

Thanks to Toye’s game-winner, Minnesota United becomes the first team from the North Star State to ever reach the USOC championship game. For his effort, he has been voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for the semifinals. The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters and select backers (those that pledge $10 or more) from TheCup.us’ Patreon team.

Toye narrowly edged Eric Remedi of Atlanta United by just a few votes and Minnesota teammate Kevin Molino finished just a few votes shy in third place. Brad Guzan of Atlanta United finished fourth.

Toye is the first Loon to ever be awarded TheCup.us Player of the Round.

“He wants to be good,” Minnesota head coach Adrian Heath said about the game’s hero Mason Toye. “He’s willing to put the hours in to make himself good. That’s why there’s not a person on the coaching staff that’s not absolutely delighted for him.”

Born in South Orange, New Jersey, Mason Toye was a high school All American and Gatorade Player of the Year at Seton Hall Prep. He scored a conference-leading 10 goals for Indiana University and a runner-up spot in the 2017 College Cup in his only year of college before he was drafted 7th overall in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. As a fringe member of the Loons, Toye was loaned out to Colorado Springs Switchbacks and then Forward Madison, where he made his name before making his debut for the parent club on May 19.

Now, he is part of a team that is one win away from lifting a major trophy for the first time since joining MLS.

if ya haven’t heard… His name is Mason Toye pic.twitter.com/qyQikxI8G2

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) August 8, 2019

2019 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners

Round 1: Charles Boateng (Richmond Kickers, USL-1)
Round 2: Bryant Martin (Florida Soccer Soldiers, USASA)
Round 3: Blake Frischknecht (Orange County FC, NPSL)
Round 4: Teal Bunbury (New England Revolution, MLS)
Round 5: Sam Fink (Saint Louis FC, USL-C)
Quarterfinals: Adam Grinwis (Orlando City SC, MLS)
Semifinals: Mason Toye (Minnesota United FC, MLS)

2019 US Open Cup Semifinals Preview: Minnesota United, Portland Timbers battle to face Atlanta in Final

August 5, 2019 by Jeremiah Braeback

Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Last night, Atlanta United punched their ticket to the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final with a 2-0 win over Orlando City SC. Tonight, Minnesota United and the Portland Timbers will battle at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn. (8 p.m. ET) for the right to meet Atlanta in the championship game on Aug. 27 (Atlanta will host at Mercedes-Benz Stadium).

Atlanta becomes the first team from the state of Georgia to reach the US Open Cup Final, and the winner of Minnesota and Portland will also be the first from their respective states to reach the title game. This marks just the 10th ninth time in the 106-year history of the tournament where the entire final four has never reached the Final.

Tonight’s Semifinal and the championship game on Aug. 27 will both air live on ESPN+.

Below is a preview of the Minnesota / Portland game (with links to live video and other US Open Cup coverage):

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report)
2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders (Goals, Assists, GKs)
2019 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)

Things you should know about the US Open Cup Semifinals

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round of 16: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Game-by-game review

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THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers
Round 3: Blake Frischknecht – Orange County FC
Round 4: Teal Bunbury – New England Revolution
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Quarterfinals: Adam Grinwis – Orlando City SC

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#USOC2019 QUALIFYING
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2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
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Portland Timbers FC (MLS) at Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Allianz Field – St. Paul, MN
Kickoff: August 7 – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

Angelo Rodriguez of Minnesota United FC attempts a shot against New Mexico United in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United FC

The Portland Timbers and Minnesota United face off for the second time in four days at Allianz Field, with a berth in the 2019 US Open Cup Final on the line.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

For the eighth time, the Portland Timbers faced Cascadian rivals Seattle Sounders in their first match of this season’s US Open Cup. The Modern Era’s most common matchup produced another tense battle as the Timbers defeated the Sounders in Tacoma, Wash., 2-1 on a brace from Brian Fernandez. Portland returned home to to rout the Los Angeles Galaxy 4-0 at Providence Park in the Round of 16, with goals from Fernandez, Sebastian Blanco, Jorge Moreira, and an own goal from Galaxy defender Perry Kitchen. In their latest match, they used a late goal to take down MLS front-runners Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium, as Jeremy Ebobisse netted the winner in the 84th minute.

Minnesota United kicked off their Open Cup run by welcoming four-time champion Sporting Kansas City to their new home at Allianz Field. United quickly took the lead in the 2nd minute from Angelo Rodriguez, saw Sporting equalize midway through the first half, then dropped three goals (one from Ethan Finlay and a brace from Darwin Quintero) in the second half for a 4-1 victory. In their second match against the Houston Dynamo, United traveled to BBVA Stadium and went down 2-0 in the first half only to see Quintero bring them level with a second half brace. Then, an 89th minute goal from Mason Toye sent Minnesota into the next round. In the Quarterfinals, Minnesota hosted USL Championship side New Mexico FC. After giving up an early goal, the Loons quickly equalized, then added five more goals in a 6-1 victory, as Rodriguez netted a hat trick and Quintero, Jan Gregus, and Miguel Ibarra each added goals.

RECENT FORM

Portland comes in to the match in strong form, climbing up the table from last place in the Western Conference to just below the red line. Since the end of June, the Timbers are 4-1-2, defeating FC Dallas, New York City FC, Seattle Sounders, and LA Galaxy in that time, while drawing with the Colorado Rapids and Orlando City FC. Their lone loss happened this past Sunday against the Loons, a 1-0 defeat.

Minnesota is in perhaps the best form of any team in MLS. Currently 2nd in the Western Conference table, the Loons are on an eight-match unbeaten run in MLS play, which includes Sunday’s 1-0 victory over the Timbers.

The Portland Timbers celebrate after the club's 1-0 win over LAFC in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Twitter @TimbersFC — The Portland Timbers celebrate after the club’s 1-0 win over LAFC in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Twitter @TimbersFC

PAST MEETINGS

Minnesota used a late penalty kick by Ethan Finlay to defeat the Timbers 1-0 on Sunday at Allianz Field. For much of the match, neither side could really gain a foothold over the other, and while they had their chances, it took the late penalty kick given up by the Timbers to decide the match. In Minnesota’s first two seasons in MLS, the two teams have split their four meetings with the home team winning each time.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brian Fernandez leads the Timbers 11 goals in all competitions since joining the team in early May, scoring in each of his first five MLS appearances, a new league record, while adding two assists. Jeremy Ebobisse in second on the Timbers in goalscoring with eight goals in MLS and US Open Cup Play. Argentinian playmakers Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco spring the attack for the Timbers. Valeri and Blanco are both top five in assists in MLS, with Valeri third with 12 assists and Blanco tied for fifth with nine.

For the season, Valeri has seven goals and 13 assists, while Blanco has four goals and 10 assists. Valeri, the 2017 MLS Most Valuable Player may have begun to show his age in some areas, but he is still the key link in the Timbers attack, and the Argentine trio of Fernandez, Valeri, and Blanco lead the team in shots and shots on goal.

Defensive midfielder Diego Chara is the motor that runs the Timbers midfield. While he may be one of the smallest players on the pitch, his tenacity for breaking up plays and bringing a physical side to the pitch makes him a player most teams would love to have but hate to play against.

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

Goalkeeper Steve Clark pushed his way in as the No. 1 goalkeeper for the Timbers and hasn’t looked back. With five shutouts across all competitions, backup Jeff Attinella has only allowed more than one goal once this season. Clark also leads the tournament in goals against average (0.33) as he has started all three games for the Timbers.

For the Loons, the attack goes through Darwin Quintero who leads the team with 12 goals across all competitions, while adding six assists, and Angelo Rodriguez, who has nine goals and five assists. Mason Toye has had a breakout sophomore season, scoring five goals across all competitions, and Ethan Finlay has scored five goals on the season, including the game-winner against the Timbers on Sunday.

In the midfield, Slovakian international Jan Gregus leads the Loons in assists with nine to go along with two goals, while veteran Ozzie Alonso has also brought grit in defensive midfield since joining the team this season. Alonso brings plenty of Open Cup experience to the squad as he is the only Modern Era (1995-present) player to play in six championship games. If he is able to lift the trophy with Minnesota, he would join former Seattle Sounders teammates Nate Jaqua and James Riley as the only players to win five US Open Cup titles in the Modern Era.

Right back Romain Metanire brings pace and pinpoint distribution into the attack and is second on the team with six, while also adding a goal.

Goalkeeper Vito Mannone has been rock solid for United, starting every competitive match for the Loons. Mannone has eight shutouts on the season, which ranks third in the league. .

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Minnesota United FC (MLS)
10th US Open Cup appearance (3rd as MLS team)
Overall: 8-7-2 (1-1 PK) | 3-2-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS team
Home: 3-3-0 | 2-0-0 as MLS team
vs. MLS: 3-5-0 | 2-2-0 as MLS team
Best finish: 2018 Fifth Round
(USSF Div. 2 in 2010, NASL from 2011-16)

Portland Timbers FC (MLS)
15th US Open Cup appearance (8th as MLS team)
Overall: 19-13-1 (0-1 PK) | 12-7-0 as MLS team
Away: 10-7-0 | 5-5-0 as MLS team
vs. MLS: 9-9-1 (0-1 PK) | 9-6-0 as MLS team
Best finish: 2013 Semifinals
(A-League/USL First Division from 2001-09, USSF Div. 2 in 2010)

Minnesota and Portland represent a pair of teams that started out in a lower division league and moved up to Major League Soccer. They also come from states that have had very limited US Open Cup representation over the years.

The Timbers name was re-born in 2001, and after not qualifying for the tournament in their first three years in the USL’s A-League (Div. 2), they made their US Open Cup debut in 2004. They were part of the USL from 2001-09, and was part of the USSF’s Division 2 league that was created in 2010 to handle the conflict between the USL and the teams that wanted to split off to form the new North American Soccer League. Portland had very limited success as a lower division team in the tournament. In their seven trips to the tournament, they only defeated one pro team (granted, it was a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders in 2005), and they suffered a major upset in 2008 when Open Division Local side Hollywood United traveled up to Portland and beat them, 3-2.

The Timbers would fail to qualify in their first year in MLS in 2011, and when they made their Open Cup debut as a MLS side in 2012, they were upset — at home — by another Southern California-based amateur team in Cal FC. They would bounce back the following year with their best run in team history, reaching the 2013 Semifinals where they would fall 2-1 on the road against Real Salt Lake. In the years that have followed, the Timbers haven’t advanced beyond the Quarterfinals until this year.

Portland is attempting to become the first Oregon-based club to reach the US Open Cup Final. The state of Oregon has a very limited history in the tournament. According to TheCup.us records, the earliest entry from Oregon is a club called Gresham United that reached the Round of 16 in 1989. The best finish for an Oregon time, outside of the Timbers, was Kell’s Celtic that reached the Quarterfinals in 1992. They would lose to the eventual champion San Jose Oaks in that game.

Minnesota United made their debut as a club in 2010 in the USSF’s Division 2 league as the NSC Minnesota Stars FC. They were among the teams that joined the new version of the NASL when it launched in 2011. They rebranded as Minnesota Stars FC in 2012 and made their US Open Cup debut where they made a big splash with an upset, on the road, against Real Salt Lake (MLS). After changing their name to Minnesota United in 2013, they would only only two more wins in the following four tournaments before joining MLS in 2017. After being one-and-done against eventual champion Sporting Kansas City in 2017, they would eliminate USL side FC Cincinnati in penalty kicks before falling to last year’s eventual champion, the Houston Dynamo.

This year’s trip to the Semifinals is, by far, their best Open Cup run in team history.

Much like Oregon, the state of Minnesota has very little Open Cup history. Not necessarily for a lack of participation, but . The state of Minnesota didn’t have a team reach the Quarterfinals until the A-League’s Minnesota Thunder did it in 2004. According to TheCup.us records, the first Minnesota-based club to enter the tournament was the Minneapolis Tigers who lost in the opening round of the 1958/59 tournament. In the Modern Era, there have been very few entries. Combined with Minnesota United, Duluth FC qualifying for the 2018 US Open Cup marked the first time since 1995 that multiple Minnesota teams qualified for the tournament. No Open Division Local team from Minnesota has ever qualified in the Modern Era.

Josh Hakala also contributed to this report

2019 US Open Cup Round of 16: Houston (Dynamo) has a problem in 2nd half, Minnesota United rallies to stun defending champs

June 19, 2019 by Louis Roesch

Darwin Quintero of Minnesota celebrates one of his goals with teammate Ethan Finlay in a Round of 16 match against the Houston Dynamo in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jose Castellanos Vos_Castellanos on Twitter and Instagram

Darwin Quintero’s second half brace ignited a stunning come-from-behind 3-2 win, propelling the visiting Minnesota United FC to its first-ever Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinal round. Minnesota’s three goals in 23 minutes erased a 2-0 deficit and eliminated the defending US Open Cup champion Houston Dynamo in front of their home fans.

Houston began the match strong but seemed to wither as the game went on. Goals by Ronaldo Pena (9’) and Tomas Martinez (37’) staked Houston to a 2-0 halftime lead who seemed to be in control of the match much like last week in their Third Round game against Austin Bold FC (USL Championship).

Despite falling behind, the Loons were not about to go down without a fight.

Sorry for ruining your b-day, @DylanWolpers…

Full #HOUvMIN Highlights ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/RDnAYNAThl

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) June 19, 2019

“The guys just persevered, we’ve grown a lot since last year,” described MUNFC forward Mason Toye who had the game-winner. “I think last year we don’t come back from that game. But over the course of this year we’ve done a great job of learning how to get results out of games and we’ve had a tough go at it every time we’ve come down to Houston. We were like, ‘It’s going to change tonight’, and we’ve proved that. It’s a really big opportunity for us to possibly get a championship. It’s definitely a winnable tournament.”

Houston goalkeeper Michael Nelson, in his professional debut, put on a performance worthy of the top keepers in the game, providing four spectacular saves in a span of nine minutes that had preserved Houston’s two-goal lead. In the 66^th minute, an unmarked Darwin Quintero tapped home a pass from Angelo Rodriguez to cut the Houston lead in half.

The Minnesota forward completed the brace sixteen minutes later, firing a laser from distance pulling the match level at two in the 82nd minute. For Quintero, it was his fourth US Open Cup goal, which puts him into a tie for the tournament lead with Charles Boateng (Richmond Kickers) and Brandon Vazquez (Atlanta United FC). His six career tournament goals puts him firmly on top of the club’s all-time scoring list. No one else has more than one in the club’s brief three-year history.

Players from Minnesota United celebrate one of the club's goals in a Round of 16 match against the Houston Dynamo in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jose Castellanos Vos_Castellanos on Twitter and Instagram — Players from Minnesota United celebrate one of the club’s goals in a Round of 16 match against the Houston Dynamo in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jose Castellanos Vos_Castellanos on Twitter and Instagram

Much like last week’s effort against Austin Bold FC, Houston played most of the second half in the defensive third rather than pushing the tempo, allowing Minnesota to gain confidence and momentum. The Loons’ third goal of the second half came in the 89^th minute. Toye, a second half substitute, touched home the game-winner. Ethan Finlay beat a tired Houston rookie defender Sam Junqua into the box, drawing the keeper and the remaining defense toward him before sliding the ball to Toye who notched his first professional goal.

All three Minnesota forwards accounted for the Loons second half outburst.

Prior to the loss, Houston had advanced in six straight games in Open Cup play dating back to last season. Houston had been seeking to become the first back-to-back winner since the Seattle Sounders did it in 2010 and 2011.

With the win, Minnesota reaches the Quarterfinals for the first time in club history, dating back to its Division 2 pro days in the North American Soccer League. They are the first Minnesota team to reach the Round of Eight since the Minnesota Thunder (USL First Division, Div. 2 pro) made their magical run to the Semifinals in 2005.

Minnesota will host the winner of Wednesday night’s FC Dallas-New Mexico United match in July.

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

June 19, 2018 by Dan Sousa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— #VoteDynamo (@HoustonDynamo) June 19, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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