With Major League Soccer-owned-and-operated USL clubs ineligible for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup starting this year, there was a bit of a void from the league’s perspective among the field. But the ruling also opened the door for MLS teams to utilize some USL players’ services, and that was evident this week in multiple Fourth Round games.

A strong presence was felt during the Houston Dynamo’s 4-0 victory against USL expansion side San Antonio FC on Wednesday. Rio Grande Valley FC is a hybrid affiliate of the Dynamo, and several RGV players were heavily in the mix during Houston’s win.

The team’s player of the match, Mauro Manotas, tallied an unassisted goal in the 39th minute that served as the game-winner. Manotas has scored two goals in four USL matches this year, and his efforts Wednesday put Houston in the front seat from the get-go.

“Mauro doesn’t need many chances in front of goal to put one in the back of the net,” Dynamo Head Coach Wade Barrett said. “He does it every day in training. He’s a real asset for us going forward.”

Houston also signed RGV’s T.J. Casner to a short-term agreement heading into the match. One of the USL’s top assists men with four thus far in 2016, Casner made his Dynamo debut when he entered for veteran U.S. Soccer defender and former midfielder DaMarcus Beasley in the 70th minute.

“It was fantastic,” Casner said. “It’s everything I could want. Of course subbing on for a guy like Beasley, too, was incredible. It’s all surreal – childhood dream. I can’t thank the coaches enough and management for giving me that chance.”

U.S. Soccer unveiled its Round of 16 matchups Thursday, with the Dynamo set to host defending U.S. Open Cup champion Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, June 29, at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston (8:30 p.m. ET).

Bilyeu gets call for NYRB: New York Red Bulls II defender Justin Bilyeu earned the start for the MLS side during the New York Red Bulls’ 1-0 victory against the Rochester Rhinos on Wednesday at Rhinos Stadium. Bilyeu has two assists in nine games this year for NYRBII, and with Jamaican defender Kemar Lawrence to miss some time following a groin injury during the Copa America Centenario, his role certainly could increase.

“[I’m] very happy with him,” Red Bulls Head Coach Jesse Marsch said after the win in Rochester. “We know he understands the tactics. We obviously know that he’s a very good passer and he’s gifted on the ball. He had a bit of an edge tonight. It wasn’t easy, especially in the first half. He had to deal with their crafty little winger. All in all, I thought a big positive for him. With Kemar out for a while we’re going to have to call on him, so that was the purpose of playing him tonight, and it was good to see him give some really good minutes.”

The Red Bulls head to Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa., to face the Philadelphia Union on June 29.

Romney leads Galaxy’s late charge: An early red card made things more difficult for the LA Galaxy, so much so that they needed to go into overtime to get past La Maquina FC. Defender Dave Romney, who has a goal in six appearances with the LA Galaxy II this year, gave the MLS side a 2-1 lead in extra time en route to an eventual 4-1 victory. Jose Villarreal, who has five goals in 11 games for Los Dos, started the game’s scoring in the 15th minute for a 1-0 lead. However, the match took a big turn just two minutes later when Rafael Garcia was issued a straight red card.

LA eventually persevered, with a bevy of players who have seen USL action this year playing a prominent role. Seven of the Galaxy’s 11 starters, including goalkeeper Clement Diop, have featured for Los Dos in 2016.

LA visits the Portland Timbers on June 29 at Providence Park (10:30 p.m. ET).

McBean ‘miles better’: Galaxy II forward Jack McBean, the USL’s current leading goal-scorer with 11 this season, made his first appearance for the Galaxy first team since October of 2013. McBean came off the bench and played the final 30 minutes of regulation and then overtime, drawing an “excellent” approval rating from Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena. Midfielder Baggio Husidic also raved about McBean’s play on the pitch.

“He was great,” Husidic said. “He was really good holding the ball. He’s just gotten miles better over the last couple of years – great player.”