The Dynamo will host Miami FC in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. (>>Tickets<<) With a road league game against Toronto FC looming on Thursday, Houston is expected to play a young lineup that include Dynamo Academy product Francisco Navas Cobo, pictured above.
Although this is only their fifth season, the Dynamo already have a history of exciting Open Cup action:
2006
Houston played its first ever Open Cup game against a namesake, the Carolina Dynamo of the PDL, and rolled to a 4-2 win at Robertson Stadium. In the quarterfinals, the hometown Dynamo rolled over rival FC Dallas 3-0 in front of season ticket holders at Carl Lewis Track & Field Complex, advancing to the semifinals. There, playing on the road against AEG brother Los Angeles Galaxy, the Dynamo fell 3-1. LA went on to lose the final to the Chicago Fire.
2007
The Dynamo were drawn on the road against the Charleston Battery two nights before a road league game against the Chicago Fire. Houston battled into overtime, where Zach Wells saved a penalty kick only to see the Battery score the rebound for a 1-0 overtime win. Charleston lost to Dallas in overtime in the quarterfinals.
2008
Again drawn on the road against Charleston two days before a road league game, Houston fell behind but tied the game on a late goal from an unlikely hero in Stephen Wondolowski. The Battery went down to nine men in overtime but held on to force and eventually win a shootout to advance. Charleston reached the final before losing to D.C. United.
2009
Houston was actually given an Open Cup game in driving range and with time to rest afterward; the Dynamo responded with a 2-0 shutout of the Austin Aztex behind a goal and an assist from Corey Ashe. Next up was a rematch against Charleston on the road, and the Dynamo erased bad memories with a convincing 4-0 win. Houston then headed to Seattle (directly from a league game in Toronto) for a memorable encounter in which the Dynamo took an early lead and tried to hold on. The Sounders tied the contentious match in the 89th minute, then scored in overtime as Houston's Brian Mullan gamely played through injury because the Dynamo were out of substitutes. Tally Hall tied a club record with 10 saves but Houston could not stay alive. Seattle beat D.C. United in the final.
2010
Who knows? Be there Tuesday night to see the opening game for Houston in this year's tournament.
