2018 US Open Cup

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

October 19, 2018 by Dan Sousa

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

You can call him hard working.

You can call him tenacious.

You can call him humble.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the 2018 US Open Cup he:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who should be voted 2018 US Open Cup’s TheCup.us Player of the Tournament?

October 14, 2018 by Josh Hakala

TheCup.us Player of the Tournament nominees for the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (from left to right): Cory Burke of Philadelphia Union, Diego Rossi of LAFC, Mauro Manotas of Houston Dynamo and Alejandro Bedoya of Philadelphia Union.

The 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is complete with the Houston Dynamo lifting the trophy for the first time in club history.

With that, it’s time to hand out the annual TheCup.us Player of the Tournament award. Every year since 2006, TheCup.us has honored the player who put together the most impressive, and the most valuable individual performance of the competition.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters but if YOU had a vote, which player do you think would win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

ALEJANDRO BEDOYA (PHILADELPHIA UNION – MLS)
While he did not play in the Union’s opening game vs. Richmond, Bedoya played every minute and was involved in all but one of Philadelphia’s goals to help them reach the US Open Cup Final for the third time in club history. The U.S. international assisted on both goals in a 2-1 home win over the New York Red Bulls in the Round of 16, scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 home win over Orlando City in the Quarterfinals and assisted on the first two goals in the Union’s 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire in the Semifinals. He played the full 90 minutes in the championship game but Philly lost 3-0 on the road against the Houston Dynamo. In the end, his four assists was tied for the tournament lead.

Round 4: DNP in a 5-0 home win vs. Richmond (USL)
Round 5: Started, played 90 mins., had 2 assists in a 2-1 home win vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 mins., scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 home win vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)
Semifinals: Started, played 90 mins., had 2 assists in a 3-0 home win vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)
Final: Started, played 90 mins. in a 3-0 road loss at Houston Dynamo (MLS)

CORY BURKE (PHILADELPHIA UNION – MLS)
Burke started every game for the Union during their US Open Cup run, helping the Philadelphia Union reach the championship game for the third time. Burke was only needed for the first half in a 5-0 home win over the Richmond Kickers (USL), but in that time, the Union scored four goals and he assisted on one of them. In the Round of 16, Burke scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 home win over the New York Red Bulls (MLS), and he played 63 minutes in the Union’s 1-0 win over Orlando City. In the Semifinals, Burke scored the first two goals of the game in a 3-0 home win over the Chicago Fire (MLS) to send Philly to the Final. He played 68 minutes in the losing effort in the title game, a 3-0 road loss to the Houston Dynamo (MLS).

Round 4: Started, played 45 mins, 1 assist in 5-0 home win vs. Richmond (USL)
Round 5: Started, played 90 mins., scored game-winning goal in a 2-1 home win vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 63 mins. in a 1-0 home win vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)
Semifinals: Started, played 90 mins., scored 2 goals in a 3-0 home win vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)
Final: Started, played 68 mins. in a 3-0 road loss at Houston Dynamo (MLS)

MAURO MANOTAS (HOUSTON DYNAMO – MLS)
After not playing the opening game against NTX Rayados (USASA), Manotas went on a four-game goalscoring streak and led the Houston Dynamo to the club’s first US Open Cup title. He scored the game-winning goal in the Round of 16 win over Minnesota United, and scored a pair of goals (including the game-winner) in a 4-2 home win over the defending champions Sporting Kansas City. Manotas scored a goal in the club’s 3-3 draw (PK win) against Los Angeles FC in the Semifinals. Manotas was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Final when he scored two first half goals in the 3-0 win over the Philadephia Union. The Colombian led the tournament in goals with six, which ties the Modern Era (1995-present) record for a single tournament and he became the fifth Modern Era player to score a goal in four consecutive Cup matches.

Round 4: DNP in a 5-0 home win vs. NTX Rayados (USASA)
Round 5: Started, played 60 mins., scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 home win vs. Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 mins., scored two goals (incl. the game-winner) in a 4-2 home win vs. Sporting KC (MLS)
Semifinals: Started, played 84 mins., scored 1 goal in a 3-3 home draw (7-6 PK win) vs. LAFC (MLS)
Final: Started, played 90 mins., scored 2 goals (incl. game-winner) in a 3-0 home win vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)

DIEGO ROSSI (LOS ANGELES FC – MLS)
Los Angeles FC may not have won the US Open Cup, but Diego Rossi’s performance nearly put them into the Final in the club’s inaugural season. After a scoreless first half, Rossi was subbed in after halftime and scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in a 2-0 home win over Fresno FC (USL). In the Round of 16, he sparked a second half comeback in a 3-2 home win over the Sacramento Republic (USL). Rossi scored the tying goal in the 67th minute and then assisted on Latif Blessing’s game-winner in the 89th minute. In the Quarterfinals, he started and played 90 minutes in a 3-2 home win over the Portland Timbers (MLS). Next, he won TheCup.us Player of the Round honors by scoring the first Modern Era hat trick in the Semifinals. Down 3-1 to the Houston Dynamo on the road, he scored a 78th minute goal and then an equalizer deep into second half stoppage time. The match went to penalty kicks and while Rossi converted his attempt, Houston would win the shootout 7-6.

Round 4: Came off bench, played 45 mins., scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 home win vs. Fresno FC (USL)
Round 5: Started, played 90 mins., scored a goal and had the game-winning assist in a 3-2 home win vs. Sacramento Republic (USL)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 mins. in a 3-2 home win vs. Portland Timbers (MLS)
Semifinals: Started, played 120 mins., scored a hat trick (goal in PK shootout) in a 3-3 draw, 7-6 PK loss at home vs. Houston Dynamo (MLS)

2018 US Open Cup: Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament

October 12, 2018 by Adam Uthe

Former Corinthians standout Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force, playing in his first season in the United States, was narrowly voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament for the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select of panel of members from the North American Soccer Reporters. Faramilio narrowly edged Christian Okeke of the NTX Rayados, with Brian Ownby of Louisville City finishing third.

Allisson scored four goals in the first three rounds of the tournament and helped the Premier Development League’s (PDL) FC Golden State Force reach the Fourth Round of the 2018 tournament, where they were defeated by Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Los Angeles Galaxy. Allisson is the first outfield player to earn the award since 2015, when PSA Elite’s Michael Salazar recorded three goals and four assists in four games. The two prior award winners were both goalkeepers: FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt in 2017 and Fort Lauderdale Strikers’ Diego Restrepo in 2016.

“It is a unique moment … I am very happy,” Faramilio said of winning the award in his first season in the United States.

In Round 1, FC Golden State Force defeated Los Angeles Wolves (UPSL) with Allisson scoring the game-winner before being subbed off in the 72nd minute. He converted a penalty kick in Round 2 when Golden State pulled off a 4-2 road upset of the United Soccer League’s Orange County FC.

The Brazilian international saved his best performance for Round 3. Faramilio scored both goals in Golden State’s 2-1 upset win over another USL foe, this time the expansion side Las Vegas Lights. For his efforts, Faramilio was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

? #Cupset Alert ?

The @FCGSForce advance to the @opencup Fourth Round to face off against an @MLS foe after defeating @lvlightsfc!

Check out the Force goals ⬇️ #Path2Pro #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/g4xtnSqsfz

— USL PDL (@USLPDL) May 24, 2018

Ultimately, both club and player ran out of gas in Round 4 and Golden State were defeated by Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1.

The United States is just the latest stop for a player whose career has quite literally taken him around the world.

Born in Sao Paulo, Faramilio began playing the sport at the age of 14 and by the time he turned 19 had earned a place on the first team squad for top Brazilian side Corinthians. Unable to secure a long-term spot with one team, he went on to feature for eight different clubs in Brazil before leaving his homeland to play abroad. Since then, he has played for clubs in Japan, South Korea, Albania, and, most recently, Iraq. He signed with FC Golden State Force on March 6, 2018 and they became the 12th different club to secure his services.

“Allisson was an outstanding addition to the club last spring,” said FC Golden State Force executive director Alex Lujan. “He is obviously a very established, polished goal scorer, but also brought a lot of intangibles to the team. Our younger players benefited from his life experience, both on-and-off the pitch, as a professional footballer in Brazil as well as his positive attitude and infectious smile.”

In league play, Faramilio scored two goals in eight games as he was a part of a team that won the regular season Western Conference title, and finished with the third best record in the PDL.

Speaking through a translator, he noted that the level of competition he has faced during his current tenure with Golden State is pretty close that of his native Brazil. He praised the structure of the clubs in the US, even in the PDL where Golden State currently plays. Faramilio also noted that in his native Brazil, only the biggest clubs have a solid foundation in place for building teams that can contend for trophies. When asked to compare his game to another player – current or retired – he called out former Inter Milan striker and fellow countryman Adriano.

“My style of play compares to that of Adriano … I watched him play a lot and I was always a fan,” said Faramilio.

He also said there was not one specific moment from the 2018 tournament that stood out to him. He noted the significance of Golden State becoming the 14th amateur – and 16th open division – team to reach the Fourth Round in the Modern Era (1995-present) and how special it was to face a team of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s reputation. He did allow himself to take some pride in his two-goal performance in Round 3.

It turns out that 2018 was a banner year for amateur sides in the tournament. Not only did Golden State make history with their run, but Faramilio also narrowly beat out Christian Okeke, a striker for NTX Rayados, another amateur side. Rayados, playing in their seventh Open Cup in eight years, also advanced all the way to the fourth round and Okeke was a big reason why. He was a second half sub in each of the first three rounds and each time he scored the game winner for his side.

But in the end, the voters chose the 30-year-old Brazilian enjoying the latest stop on a career that has shown him, and all of us, just how global the game’s appeal really is.

Past winners of TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament
2012: Danny Barrera (Cal FC – USASA)
2013: Ty Shipalane (Carolina RailHawks – NASL)
2014: Scott Goodwin (Carolina RailHawks – NASL)
2015: Michael Salazar (PSA Elite – USASA)
2016: Diego Restrepo (Fort Lauderdale Strikers – NASL)
2017: Mitch Hildebrandt (FC Cincinnati – USL)

Who should be voted 2018 US Open Cup’s TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament?

October 2, 2018 by Josh Hakala

Finalists for the 2018 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament (from left to right): Christian Okeke of NTX Rayados, Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force, Tim Dobrowolski and Brian Ownby of Louisville City, Marios Lomis of North Carolina FC. — Finalists for 2018 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament (from left to right): Christian Okeke of NTX Rayados, Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force, Tim Dobrowolski and Brian Ownby of Louisville City, Marios Lomis of North Carolina FC.

UPDATE: Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force edged Christian Okeke for the 2018 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament

The heart of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the underdog stories that arise nearly every year. Amateur teams and lower division professional teams attempt to make a name for themselves as they try to put themselves on the same field, and possibly defeat, teams from Major League Soccer.

Each year, TheCup.us has a Player of the Tournament award, but in 2012, an additional honor was added: TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament. The goal is to honor the players on lower division teams who have stood out and helped their team make a memorable run in the competition.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters but if YOU had a vote, which player do you think would win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Tim Dobrowolski (Louisville City FC – USL)
Dobrowolski played every minute in goal for Louisville City as they made their first trip to the Quarterfinals in the club’s short history. Louisville was the last lower division team standing, which earned them $25,000 in prize money. Dobrowolski earned a pair of shutouts in City’s first two games, then helped the team upset the New England Revolution (MLS) and defeat USL rival Nashville SC before the run ended with a one-sided loss to the Chicago Fire (MLS) on the road.

Round 2: 1 save, faced 3 shots in a 5-0 home win vs. Long Island Rough Riders (PDL)
Round 3: 2 saves, faced 11 shots in a 1-0 home win vs. Saint Louis FC (USL)
Round 4: 7 saves, 9 shots faced, 2 goals allowed (1 was an own goal) in a 3-2 home win vs. New England Revolution (MLS)
Round 5: 2 saves, 15 shots faced, 1 goal allowed in a 2-1 home win vs. Nashville SC (USL)
Quarterfinals: 3 saves, 17 shots faced, 4 goals allowed in a 4-0 road loss at Chicago Fire (MLS)

Allisson Faramilio (FC Golden State – PDL)
Faramilio scored at least one goal in each of the first three games of the tournament for FC Golden State Force as the PDL side became just the 14th amateur side (16th open division team) to reach the Fourth Round since 1996. Faramilio helped his team upset a pair of pro teams from the USL and his two-goal performance in Golden State’s 2-1 upset of the Las Vegas Lights in Round 3 earned him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

Round 1: Started, played 72 mins., scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 home win over the Los Angeles Wolves FC (USASA)
Round 2: Started, played 76 mins., scored a PK goal in a 4-2 road win at Orange County SC (USL)
Round 3: Started, played 90 mins., scored 2 goals in a 2-1 home win vs. Las Vegas Lights (USL)
Round 4: Started, played 84 mins. in a 3-1 road loss at Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)

Marios Lomis (North Carolina FC – USL)
Lomis did everything he could to help North Carolina FC make a deep run in the US Open Cup. The Dutch forward scored a goal in all three games until the team’s run came to a halt in the Fourth Round when they lost a penalty kick shootout to D.C. United (MLS). Lomis converted his attempt, but NCFC would fall short, 4-3.

Round 2: Started, played 90 mins., scored 1 goal in a 3-0 home win vs. Lansdowne Bhoys FC (USASA)
Round 3: Started, played 90 mins., had 1 goal, 1 assist in a 4-1 home win vs. Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL)
Round 4: Started, played 120 mins., scored 1 goal in a 1-1 road draw at D.C. United (MLS), scored in the PK shootout but lost 4-3

Christian Okeke (NTX Rayados – USASA)
Okeke was this year’s super sub, coming off the bench in all four games for NTX Rayados and scoring three game-winning goals to help the Dallas-based amateur side reach the Fourth Round. That trip to the Fourth Round earned them a date with the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and was the furthest the team had advanced out of their eight consecutive trips to the tournament, a streak started in 2012. Okeke’s best performance came in the Second Round when he scored the game-tying penalty kick in the 90th minute and then scored what would be the game-winning goal in the 105th minute in a 5-2 extra time win over the USL’s OKC Energy FC. It was the Rayados’ first win over a pro team and it earned Okeke TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

Round 1: 2nd half sub in the 53rd min., scored the game-winning goal in the 114th min. in a 2-1 OT home win vs. Fort Worth Vaqueros (NPSL)
Round 2: 2nd half sub in the 65th min., scored the game-tying goal in the 90th min. and the game-winner in the 105th min. in a 5-2 OT home win vs. OKC Energy FC (USL)
Round 3: 2nd half sub in the 64th min., scored the game-winner in the 86th min. in a 3-2 home win vs. FC Wichita (NPSL)
Round 4: 2nd half sub in the 53rd min. in a 5-0 road loss at Houston Dynamo (MLS)

Brian Ownby (Louisville City FC – USL)
There were several key field players that helped Louisville City FC reach the Quarterfinals of this year’s US Open Cup. It was a difficult decision, but Brian Ownby’s overall performance, highlighted by his TheCup.us Player of the Round performance in an upset of the New England Revolution (MLS) helped him stand out. Ownby was a consistent offensive threat for City in all four of their wins

Round 2: 2nd half sub in the 62nd min., scored 1 goal in a 5-0 home win vs. Long Island Rough Riders (PDL)
Round 3: Started, played 71 mins., in a 1-0 home win vs. Saint Louis FC (USL)
Round 4: Started, played 78 mins., assisted on the first goal and scored the game-winner in the 62nd min. in a 3-2 home win vs. New England Revolution (MLS)
Round 5: Started, played 75 mins. in a 2-1 home win vs. Nashville SC (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 mins. in a 4-0 road loss at Chicago Fire (MLS)

2018 US Open Cup Final: Houston Dynamo’s Mauro Manotas voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

September 28, 2018 by Louis Roesch

With his parents watching among an announced crowd of 16,060 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas on Wednesday night, Mauro Manotas put on a show. With a brace before the half hour mark, Manotas singlehandedly wrote Houston Dynamo history leading the club to a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Union in the 2018 US Open Cup Final.

For his efforts, the Colombian has been voted TheCup.us Player of the Round. The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

When Manotas left Colombia in 2015 as a Special Discovery signing, few believed that he would progress this far this fast. In less then a year, he had been upgraded to Young Designated Player status.

Manotas is no stranger to big moments having helped lead the Colombian Under-20 team to a silver medal at the 2015 South American Youth Football Championship. Earlier in 2014, he scored the crucial goal that kept his home club Uniautonoma in the Colombian Categoria Primera A League. In just his sixth MLS start, he scored a hat trick against the Portland Timbers.

Fast forward three years to September 26, 2018. It was the kind of night a striker dreams about. Playing in the championship game with everything on the line and knowing if you do your job, your teams stands a chance to win. That was what Manotas faced on that night.

“When you play a final you don’t need to motivate much,” said Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera. “Too much talking is not good. You need to be disciplined and understand that everyone is nervous, everyone is high on adrenaline. We had to be disciplined, organized and play to our strengths. When we had the chances we had to be sure to put those away and it couldn’t work out any better for us.”

Last night was so, so good. #TenemosLaCopa pic.twitter.com/71TyDb2iWW

— Houston Dynamo ? (@HoustonDynamo) September 27, 2018

The 23-year-old striker needed little time in getting Houston on the board. Fellow forward Alberth Elis chased a ball down near the endline and delivered a perfect service to the crouching Manotas who headed it home. The fourth minute goal was tied for the fastest goal in a championship game in the Modern Era.

His tenth came in the 26th minute of play. Controlling the ball just outside the box, Manotas received a ball from the right wing from Elis and got a step on Union defender Jack Elliott before unleashing a low blast that caromed off the near post into the back of the net. For Manotas, it was his 20th goal of the season across all competitions.

“Like I’ve always said, when you pray with faith, God rewards you,” explained the ever humble Manotas about his performance. “Today, I give thanks to God. The team was spectacular. Thanks to God we were able to win.”

With the two goals, Manotas tied the Modern Era single-tournament record for goals with six and finished as the competition’s top goalscorer.

With his performance this year, Manotas is breaking and tying US Open Cup records left and right. Manotas scored his first career Dynamo goal on a game-winning header in a 2015 US Open Cup win over the Colorado Rapids. Once you add his game-winning goal in the 2018 Final, that gives him five career game-winning goals in the tournament, which ties a Modern Era record.

With six more goals, Manotas added to his record as the Dynamo’s all-time leading goalscorer in US Open Cup play. His ten goals are six more than the next closest player on the list). What’s more incredible is that he has scored those 10 goals in just nine tournament games, giving him one of the best scoring rates in the Modern Era. Those goals in the championship game also extended his streak of four consecutive Cup matches with a goal, which ties a Modern Era record.

In just a few years, Manotas has risen up the goalscoring chart of MLS players in the Modern Era. Only two players on MLS teams have scored more goals than Manotas (Kenny Cooper and Jaime Moreno).

And one final statistic that Manotas and his team appreciates: Houston has never lost an Open Cup game when Manotas scores a goal.

2018 US Open Cup Final: Houston Dynamo break Union to win first USOC title

September 27, 2018 by Louis Roesch

The Houston Dynamo celebrate the 2018 US Open Cup championship. Photo: Jose Castellanos | Twitter: @Vos_Castellanos, IG: @FutbolAndBrews

From Alejandro Moreno’s first-ever Houston Dynamo US Open Cup goal to Mauro Manotas’ brace in the 2018 Final, the Houston Dynamo’s quest for a US Open Cup championship has ended.

Moreno’s goal came in the 29th minute on August 2, 2006 against the PDL’s Carolina Dynamo. Twelve years, one month and 24 days later, the Dynamo hoisted the 2018 US Open Cup championship. The 3-0 win capped a summer that had seen Houston struggle in MLS play and flourish in Open Cup play.

Manotas has made a career of scoring goals in the US Open Cup. In less than four seasons since signing in 2015, the young Columbian is the most prolific goalscorer in Dynamo history, adding two more on Wednesday night to bring his career total to 10 goals in nine tournament games. His two goals also earned him the 2018 US Open Cup goalscoring title, as he tied the single-tournament record for the Modern Era (1995-present) with six goals.

With the win, the Dynamo become the first South Texas team in tournament’s 105-year history to lift the trophy.

It didn’t take long for the streamers to start flying at the 2018 Final in Houston, Texas. On a counter, Alberth Elis’ service into the box found a crouching Manotas who headed it home. The 23-year-old’s goal in the fourth minute of play was all the Dynamo needed to claim their first ever Cup championship. It was tied with D.C. United’s Luciano Emilio for the fastest goal of the Modern Era. Emilio’s goal was scored in the 2008 Final in a 2-1 win over the Charleston Battery (USL).

Get. In. #QueremosLaCopa https://t.co/iJpw9FHxVO

— Houston Dynamo ? (@HoustonDynamo) September 27, 2018

Philadelphia pressured the Houston defense for much of the night. Willis faced 19 shots overall in recording a clean sheet and moving to 12-3 all-time in Open Cup play. Willis won his second career US Open Cup title after he led D.C. United to four straight wins before starting goalkeeper Bill Hamid took over in the 2013 championship game where they defeated Real Salt Lake, 1-0.

Manotas completed the brace in the 25th minute. After receiving a pass from the right wing from Elis, Manotas dribbled to his left across the top of the box before rifling home a low shot off the near post. The two goals gave Manotas 20 goals in all competitions, a single-season record for the Dynamo. The Colombian also became just the fourth player in the Modern Era to score multiple goals in a Final, and is just the fifth to score multiple goals in a championship game in a career.

“I can say that he’s a fantastic professional,” exuded Cabrera after the game. “He’s a fantastic top scorer, and we’re lucky to have him. Because every day he’s growing in all aspects, not only as a player but as a person, he’s more mature and he’s only 22, 23-years-old.And with him, he’s been professional on-and-off the field, so it’s impressive– and being that young. So it’s very good and we’re happy for him.”

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2018 @opencup Golden Boot leader. #QueremosLaCopa https://t.co/FxBzJPvIQr

— Houston Dynamo ? (@HoustonDynamo) September 27, 2018

A two-goal advantage, especially in the US Open Cup is not insurmountable, but a second half own goal by the Union seemed to dash any hopes of a comeback. In the 65th minute, Romell Quioto received the ball on the left side of the box with plenty of space for a shot. He fired it toward the far post and Andre Blake dove to his left to make the save but the rebound deflected to the foot of Auston Trusty who appeared to try to clear the ball out for a corner kick. Instead, the ball ended up in the back of the net.

That ol’ sinking feeling. ☹️@austheboss3 has been outstanding throughout #USOC2018, but he’ll want to forget the moment he put through his own net to give @HoustonDynamo a 3-0 lead in the @opencup Final. pic.twitter.com/NWa3Nhy0zz

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) September 27, 2018

Trusty’s look of devastation after the own goal — just the fifth own goal scored in a championship game in tournament history — summed up Philadelphia’s night as the Union would finish runner-up for the third time in the last five years. They are the first Modern Era club to lose three championship games, and they become just the fifth team in Open Cup history to finish runner-up three times.

Houston defender DaMarcus Beasley won his third career US Open Cup title (Chicago Fire 2000, 2003), and with the win, he breaks the Modern Era record for biggest gap in between Cup titles with 15 years. (Previous record: Jaime Moreno of D.C. United with 12 years from 1996-2008). Backup goalkeeper Chris Seitz won his second title in three years after helping rival FC Dallas lift the trophy in 2016. Dylan Remick did not play but he wins a second career US Open Cup title (2014 – Seattle Sounders FC). Andrew Wenger, who played in both US Open Cup Finals for the Union in 2014 and 2015, including missing the final penalty kick in the 2015 Final, played all 90 minutes and wins his first US Open Cup title.

With the win, the Dynamo win $300,000 in prize money (the Union received $100,000), and a berth in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League.

Your 2018 @opencup champions! ? #TenemosLaCopa https://t.co/3o8VYJxVEx

— Houston Dynamo ? (@HoustonDynamo) September 27, 2018

?? ?? ?? ??? #TenemosLaCopa pic.twitter.com/HI4HvvJh95

— Houston Dynamo ? (@HoustonDynamo) September 27, 2018

“This club, this city, is going to remember you. Forever.” #TenemosLaCopa pic.twitter.com/84fLsuaNIB

— Houston Dynamo ? (@HoustonDynamo) September 27, 2018

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

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.