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MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Preview: Dynamo Kick off U.S. Open Cup Run Tonight vs. Dallas-Area Amateur Club NTX Rayados

June 6, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


HOUSTON - The Houston Dynamo step away from MLS competition for a night as they kick off their run in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup this evening against NTX Rayados, an adult amateur team from the Dallas area, in the Fourth Round of the tournament.

Founded in 1914, the U.S. Open Cup is the longest-running national soccer competition in the United States and the second-oldest team sports championship in American sports behind on the World Series (1903). The single-elimination tournament is open to teams from all levels of the American soccer landscape, from amateur sides up through Major League Soccer. All 20 MLS clubs based in the United States receive byes to the Fourth Round.

GAME INFORMATION:

MATCHUP: Houston Dynamo vs. NTX Rayados - Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round TIME: 7:30 p.m. CDT STREAM: Online at HoustonDynamo.com/LIVE NOTES: Attached

HERE ARE THREE KEY POINTS YOU'LL NEED TO KNOW AS YOU PREPARE FOR TONIGHT'S MATCH:

1. GET TO KNOW NTX RAYADOS - NTX Rayados are an adult amateur team that competes in the Dallas area. As an amateur side in the U.S. Adult Soccer Association, they had to play their way into the tournament as one of 13 local qualifiers and have gone 4-0 so far, including a play-in game, to get to Round 4 as the lone remaining local qualifier in the tournament. Most players on the team have full-time jobs, including founder Tito Salas, who is an assistant principal at a Dallas high school. READ MORE HERE.

2. OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PLAYERS - The early rounds of the U.S. Open Cup often provide an opportunity for MLS clubs to give playing time to younger players who may not get a chance during league matches. Ahead of tonight's match, the Dynamo signed seven players from RGV FC, the club's minor league affiliate based in Edinburg, Texas, and several could play tonight. Now a full-time starter, forward Mauro Manotas has taken full advantage of Open Cup opportunities earlier in his career with four goals in six tournament appearances; and midfielder Memo Rodriguez scored his first goal with the Dynamo in last year's tournament before netting two more in MLS play later in the season.

3. TWO DYNAMO ACADEMY ALUMS RETURN - Tonight's opponent for the Dynamo, NTX Rayados, has two players with a special connection to the MLS club. Lucio Martinez joined the Dynamo Academy in 2011, playing with the Under-13 team. He advanced through the Academy with his teammates and eventually served as the captain of the Under-18 Academy team in 2016 before moving to Mexico to continue pursuing his career. Goalkeeper Emmanuel Frías played for the Dynamo Academy in 2007 and eventually worked for the Academy coaching staff as a goalkeeper coach from 2014-16.

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