Houston Dynamo vs FC Dallas, US Open Cup Preview: Rivals face off in Open Cup

From one rival match up to another, Wednesday night the Houston Dynamo play FC Dallas in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The Dynamo started off their Open Cup run with a 4-0 win over San Antonio FC. In the Round of 16 the Dynamo beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1 to advance to the quarterfinals. Now in the quarterfinals the Dynamo are facing their in-state rival FC Dallas.

The two have already faced each other twice in MLS competition this year. The Dynamo beat Dallas 5-0 in their second game of the season at BBVA Compass Stadium. In the rematch at Toyota Stadium the Dynamo were unable to secure El Capitan and the win, but walked away with a 1-1 draw.

This time it is not just a cannon that is on the line. The Dynamo have struggled in MLS play this season which has left them at the bottom of the Western Conference with hopes of making the playoffs basically dead. This leaves the Open Cup as the most important competition the team is currently playing in. Lose to FC Dallas on Wednesday night and they are out.

For FC Dallas winning the Open Cup has always been a priority after all the competition is named for their owner. The club is currently in first place in the Western Conference. Dallas has come out victorious the last two times these teams have faced each other in the Open Cup.

If they want to get the win the Dynamo are going to have to do it without DaMarcus Beasley and Tyler Deric. Beasley had knee surgery that will keep him off the field for several weeks. Deric suffered another abdominal strain and won't be able to start in goal. Rob Lovejoy is listed as doubtful for the match after suffering an ankle sprain.

A win on Wednesday night would put the Dynamo into the semifinals since 2009 and give fans something to cheer about. Things kickoff at BBVA Compass Stadium at 7:30 pm CT.