From regular season scraps to memorable playoff battles, Houston Dynamo versus Sporting Kansas City has become one of the marquee MLS rivalries since both teams jumped to the Western Conference in 2015. The sides are currently preparing to face each other in a staggering 11th elimination match or series since 2011 – with each team earning five victories in that stretch.
Prior to last season’s defeat for the Dynamo in the Open Cup away at Sporting, the Dynamo have eliminated Kansas City three times in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs since 2011, most recently in 2017 when Houston reached the Western Conference final. The two are far from strangers in facing each other in the oldest soccer competition in the United States, as the sides previously met in 2016, 2018, and 2022.
The Dynamo aim to make it three wins over Sporting Kansas City in their past four matches in the Open Cup tomorrow, with the Dynamo triumphing in 2016 and 2018 – with the latter being on the way to a victory in the final against the Philadelphia Union. Kansas City does hold the series advantage in the competition against the Dynamo, however, eliminating the Dynamo four times in the tournament. The Dynamo, however, have reached the Round of 16 in each of the last nine editions of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Houston brings a home-field advantage into Wednesday’s match, as the side has yet to concede a goal at Shell Energy Stadium in league play this season and remains undefeated following a 0-0 draw against Real Salt Lake last Saturday.
Tomorrow’s match at Shell Energy Stadium is slated for a 7:30pm kickoff, with tickets still available for purchase. Fans who are unable to attend the match can stream is on the U.S. Soccer YouTube channel.
