MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Three Points: Quest for the Cup Continues against Sporting KC

Published on July 17, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


HOUSTON - The Houston Dynamo look to take the next step on the road to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final tomorrow night as they play host to the defending tournament champion, Sporting Kansas City, in a Quarterfinal match at 7:30 p.m. CDT.

Houston and Sporting will meet in Open Cup play for the fifth time overall and for the fourth consecutive year. Sporting holds a 3-1 edge in Open Cup matches, including a 2-0 win in the Round of 16 last year at BBVA Compass Stadium. A win for the Dynamo would send them through to the semifinals for the first time since 2009 and the third time in club history. The Dynamo are also looking to break a three-year streak in which they've been knocked out by the eventual champions, and the only way to ensure they snap that is to win the tournament themselves!

GAME INFORMATION:

MATCHUP: Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City

TIME: 7:30 p.m. CDT

STREAM: HoustonDynamo.com/LIVE OR USsoccer.com

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

1. PROTECT HOME FIELD - The Dynamo are on an eight-game unbeaten run at BBVA Compass Stadium across all competitions, including a pair of wins in Open Cup play. Since head coach Wilmer Cabrera took prior to the start of the 2017 season, Houston has gone 22-5-6 at home across all competitions. One of those home defeats, though, was at the hands of Sporting in the Open Cup. Defending their home turf will be a major point of focus - and pride - for the Dynamo.

2. START FAST - Houston has been at its best when it has come out firing from the first whistle, jumping ahead of teams in the first few minutes and forcing them to chase the game. Especially when playing in Houston's heat and humidity, that can be a very effective means of managing the game. The Dynamo have advanced in the Open Cup despite starting slow in both of their games so far. Even though they've outscored their opponents by a combined 6-0 margin, all six goals have come in the second half. Getting an early goal on Wednesday night could help the Dynamo keep their Open Cup run alive.

3. FINISH STRONG - The last time the Dynamo faced Sporting, on June 23 in Kansas City, they accomplished the previous point, scoring in the second minute through FW Mauro Manotas and adding a second from Manotas just before halftime. However, a late surge from Sporting led to three goals in the final 20 minutes and a gut-wrenching defeat for the Dynamo. Conceding late goals has been a bugaboo for the Dynamo this year, and if they're able to push out to an early lead, they'll be intent on staying sharp through the final 15 minutes to see the game out successfully.

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