Lamar Hunt US Open Cup: Houston Dynamo defeat Philadelphia Union to win US Open Cup

For the Houston Dynamo 2018 came down to one game, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final. The Dynamo hosted the Philadelphia Union in the Wednesday night game that would send the winner to the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League and pocket $300,000. The Dynamo didn’t disappoint the home crowd as they won 3-0 over a Union team that just could find their way in the game.

The Dynamo got on the board early thanks to none other than Mauro Mantoas. It looked like it was the Union who netted the first goal but it was ruled offside. Moments later Manotas finished off a cross from Alberth Elis at the other end of the field to give Houston a 1-0 lead. The header from Manotas went into an open net after Andre Blake dove to try and stop the ball from Elis.

In the 25th minute Manotas found the back of the net again to double his team’s lead and score a brace in the game. Elis passed the ball to Manotas who ran around the Union player nearest him leaving just one Union player in his path. Getting around him Manotas took the shot with his left foot sending the ball into the corner of the net and past Blake.

Houston found their third goal in the 65th minute of the game but it came courtesy of a Union player. Romell Quioto got off a shot in front of goal but Blake came out to make a stop on the shot. The stop deflected to Austin Trusty who looked like it was attempting to clear the ball but ended up sending it into his own net to extend the Dynamo lead.

The Union were not without chances in the game and on more than one occasion goal keeper Joe Willis was called on to make a stop in front of the Dynamo goal. They had 19 shots in the game but only six shots were on target as they struggled to make their opportunities count.

The win is Houston’s first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Championship.

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