The Houston Dynamo advanced to the quarterfinals of the
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 1-0 win over Miami FC Tuesday night at
Robertson Stadium. Lovel Palmer scored the game-winning goal in the
80th minute for Houston. The Dynamo will host Chivas USA next Tuesday in the quarterfinals.
Playing the second of three games in six days, the Dynamo started in a
3-5-2 formation that included only three players who saw action in
Saturday's 2-2 tie with Colorado. Both goalkeepers, Tally Hall for
Houston and Caleb Patterson-Sewell for Miami, had to be active
throughout.
Houston stepped up its game and dominated the second half, both in
possession and scoring chances. In the 47th minute, Dominic Oduro was
taken down in the penalty area for a penalty kick. Richard Mulrooney
fired a hard shot inside the right post, but Miami goalkeeper Caleb
Patterson-Sewell dove to his left to tip the ball around the post for a
terrific save.
The Dynamo continued to press forward and found the winning goal in the
80th minute when Mike Chabala played a ball into Dominic Oduro at the
top of the box. Oduro turned and slotted a pass to second-half
substitute Lovel Palmer, who took a touch and slotted the ball
underneath a charging Caleb Patterson-Sewell. It was Palmer's second
goal of the season.
Houston held on from there for the win and its third trip to the
quarterfinals in its five years of existence. Houston reached the
semifinals in 2006 and 2009. Goalkeeper Tally Hall was credited with
seven saves in the match, while Caleb Patterson-Sewell finished with
five for Miami.
Defenders Eddie Robinson and Craig Waibel both made their 115th career
appearances for Houston in all competition. Midfielders Francisco Navas
Cobo, a Dynamo Academy product, and Sammy Appiah made the first
competitive starts of their respective professional careers. Tally Hall
earned his fifth competitive win for the Dynamo. Mike Chabala came on
as a first-half substitute, marking the sixth consecutive Dynamo Open
Cup match in which he has appeared.
Next Game: Thursday, July 1, 6 p.m. at Toronto FC, BMO Field, Toronto ON
Next Open Cup Game: Tuesday, July 6, 7:30 p.m. vs. Chivas USA, Robertson Stadium
Next Home MLS Game: Saturday, July 10, 7:30 p.m. vs. Columbus Crew, Robertson Stadium
