MORE: Answer a US Open Cup trivia question for a chance to win a Philadelphia Union jersey or a Houston Dynamo scarf

Two Major League Soccer clubs headed in opposite directions collide in the championship game of the 105th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday, September 26 at 8 p.m. EST at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

Wednesday’s final, broadcast live on ESPN2 and on the Univision Deportes Network, will feature a first-time champion hoisting the cup, but the two teams have had radically different summers since the Union bested the Dynamo, 3-1, in a contentious league match at BBVA on July 21.

The Union have rolled to a 7-2-1 overall mark since that win in Houston, including taking 19 points in nine MLS matches to climb into the fifth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Just in the past week Philadelphia went on the road and stopped the Seattle Sounders’ nine-game winning streak with a 1-0 win and then on Sunday at home the Union, despite resting a half dozen regulars, knocked off Western Conference leader Sporting Kansas City 2-0. An interesting factoid is that the Sounders and Sporting Kansas City were the two teams that defeated the Union in their previous two US Open Cup Final appearances in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

What will be the result of tonight’s #USOC2018 Final between the @PhilaUnion and the @HoustonDynamo ? ?⚽️?? — TheCup.us (@usopencup) September 26, 2018

“We followed up what you could call our biggest win of the season in Seattle with an even bigger one,” said Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin, who added that his squad was “as confident as we could possibly be going into a final.”

The Dynamo, on the other hand, have gone 1-6-3 since they lost that July match, including taking just five points in nine MLS contests to all but eliminate Houston from postseason hopes. The Dynamo, despite surprisingly playing its normal starters, came away Saturday on the road at struggling Orlando City with a toothless 0-0 draw. It was the seventh time in the last 10 games that Dynamo scored one goal or less.

While the Dynamo may have the hopes of salvaging their 2018 campaign riding on becoming the first ever US Open Cup champion from South Texas, the Union are no strangers to the finals, having been runner-ups in 2014 and 2015. Philadelphia comes into the championship on a 14-game unbeaten streak in US Open Cup play, the second-longest such streak in the Modern Era (matches that go to penalty kicks are officially listed as a draw). This is Houston’s first Open Cup Final.

“Philly is a very good team with a lot of talent,” said Houston head coach Wilmer Cabrera in an interview with U.S. Soccer. “Last time they came here they beat us 3-1. Right there we have something to overcome, but every game is different. They are at a very good level right now and this is their third Open Cup Final in five years. Maybe that means that they’ll have a little more pressure on them to win it.”

#USOC2018 coverage:

* 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results

* 2018 US Open Cup statistical leaders

* 2018 US Open Cup Player of the Round winners

* 2018 US Open Cup Round 1 review

* 2018 US Open Cup Round 2 review

* 2018 US Open Cup Round 3 review

* 2018 US Open Cup Round 4 review

* 2018 US Open Cup Round 5 review

* 2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals review

* 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals: Burke’s brace sends Philadelphia Union to Final for third time

* 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals: Houston Dynamo survive Rossi’s LAFC comeback, reach Final in PKs

#USOC2019 Qualifying Coverage:

* 2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule, results

* 2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review

* 2019 US Open Cup qualifying: San Nicolas files protest after loss to Cal FC

* 2019 US Open Cup Qualifying: Second Round draw released

MORE COVERAGE:

* 2018 US Open Cup Final to air on ESPN channel for fourth year in a row

* Milwaukee’s Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

* USSF finds “insufficient evidence” of racial abuse in Timbers-LAFC US Open Cup game

* Which PDL teams will qualify for 2019 US Open Cup?



US OPEN CUP HISTORY

* Five goals by Mike Noha of Ukrainian Nationals remains US Open Cup Final’s greatest feat

* 1983 US Open Cup Final: The first time Houston hosted US Soccer’s championship game

* Why Fall River Marksmen should be recognized as a 5-time US Open Cup champion

* US Soccer legend Walter Bahr leaves behind Hall of Fame legacy

* How amateurs Dallas Roma FC beat World Cup champs, an MLS team and it cost $75,000

* The US Open Cup Final box scores: 1914-present

* US Open Cup Final All-Time Goalscorers

* The history of Philadelphia and the US Open Cup Final

* Support TheCup.us: Special “TheCup.us” Del Rey City jerseys available for purchase

* Appreciate what we do at TheCup.us? Donate here

* TheCup.us is looking for writers/editors, graphics, WordPress gurus & people who can handle digital ad sales (paid position). Email us here

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HOW THEY GOT HERE

Philadelphia Union

Round 4: 5-0 win vs. Richmond Kickers (USL)

Round 5: 2-1 win vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)

Quarterfinals: 1-0 win vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)

Semifinals: 3-0 win vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)

Philadelphia’s 14 -game unbeaten streak (9-0-5, 2-3 PKs) is the second-longest in the Modern Era. (NOTE: Matches that end in penalty kicks are officially listed as draws.) That streak includes three victories in 2018 edition of the US Open Cup.

In the Fourth Round, the Union easily dispatched the Richmond Kickers (USL), scoring all its goals in the first 50 minutes in a 5-0 win.

In the Round of 16, the Union hosted the New York Red Bulls for the fourth year in a row in Open Cup play (at the time, this was the first time two teams have met four straight years). On the back of two second half goals from Haris Medunjanin and Cory Burke (both assisted by Alejandro Bedoya), Philadelphia earned a 2-1 victory.

A Quarterfinal matchup with first time Open Cup opponents Orlando City SC proved to be no problem for the Union. Hosting its third game in a row, Philadelphia rode a fourth minute Bedoya goal to earn a comfortable 1-0 win.

In the semifinals, three second-half goals propelled the Philadelphia Union to its third Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final, blowing away the Chicago Fire, 3-0.

Burke and Bedoya were once again the heroes for the Union, as Bedoya set up Burke twice to break the deadlock that lasted into the 60th minute. CJ Sapong added a third goal on an assist from Fafa Picault to put the game away late.

Houston Dynamo

Round 5: 5-0 win vs. NTX Raydos (USASA)

Round 4: 1-0 win vs. Minnesota United (MLS)

Quarterfinals: 4-2 win vs. Sporting KC (MLS)

Semifinals: 3-3 draw (7-6 PK win) vs. LAFC (MLS)

Houston’s run to the title game began with a comfortable 5-0 win over Open Division qualifiers North Texas Rayados. The Dynamo were led on the night by two goals from home grown product Memo Rodriguez and two goals from Aldo Quintanilla.

Next, they bested fellow MLS side Minnesota United as Mauro Manotas scored the lone goal to help his side advance 1-0.

They were then able to beat the defending champions Sporting Kansas City in the Quarterfinals by a score of 4-2 as Manotas and Romell Quioto both scored twice. Quioto’s performance was enough to be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

In a wild semifinal, the Dynamo overcame a hat trick by LAFC’s Diego Rossi and captured an eight-round penalty kick shootout win, 7-6, thanks to two huge saves by keeper Joe Willis after the two clubs tied in regulation, 3-3.

The Dynamo led the contest at home, 3-1 in the 75th minute, after a Rodriguez goal, but Rossi pulled one back for LAFC three minutes later, and then scored his third goal of the game deep into second half stoppage time to level the match at 3-3. Despite not advancing, Rossi was named TheCup.us Player of the Round.

CURRENT FORM

Philadelphia sits in fifth place – and just a point out of fourth place — in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with a 14-12-4 mark.

The Union has done well on the road lately with wins at New England (3-2) and D.C. United (2-2) as well as a 1-0 win at Seattle on Sept. 19 that stopped the Sounders’ nine-game winning streak.

Houston sits in 10th place in the MLS Western Conference standings with 8-13-8 mark. The Dynamo are all but mathematically eliminated from the playoff chase as they are 12 points out of the sixth and final playoff spot with just five MLS matches left.

The Dynamo, however, are historically strong at BBVA and their only MLS win since July came at home on Sept. 15, a 4-1 drubbing of the Portland Timbers. Mauro Manotas scored two goals in the win to give him a club record this season, 18 goals across all competitions.

US Open Cup History

Philadelphia Union (MLS)

7th US Open Cup Appearance

Overall: 16-3-6 (3-3 PK)

Away: 1-1-4 (2-2 PK)

vs. MLS: 8-3-5 (2-3 PK)

Best finish: Runner-up (2014, 2015)

Houston Dynamo (MLS)



13th US Open Cup Appearance

Overall: 15-10-2 (1-1 PK)

Home: 12-4-1 (1-0 PK)

vs. MLS: 5-8-1 (1-0 PK)

Best finish: Semifinals (2006, 2009)

The Union are on a 14-game unbeaten streak in the Open Cup (matches that end in penalty kicks are officially listed as draws). After falling in consecutive US Open Cup Finals in 2014 and 2015 to the Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City, respectively, the Union were ousted in penalty kicks the last two years (vs. New England Revolution in 2016, vs. New York Red Bulls in 2017).

In addition to trying to win the club’s first major trophy, the Union are trying to break an Open Cup title drought for the city of Philadelphia. The last team from the City of Brotherly Love to lift the trophy was the Ukrainian Nationals back in 1966. (NOTE: Ukrainian Nationals have entered the 2019 US Open Cup qualifying tournament, and they won their opening round game)

Houston is also seeking its first US Open Cup title. In 2006, their first season after moving from San Jose, the Dynamo reached the final four only to fall to the Los Angeles Galaxy, 3-1. They would return to the Semifinals in 2009 and would lose a tight extra time battle on the road against the Seattle Sounders.

Aside from those two runs to the Semifinals, Houston’s Open Cup success has been fairly limited. They would not win multiple games in a single tournament until they reached the Quarterfinals in 2015 and 2016 only to lose to Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas, respectively. Both teams would go on to win the tournament. Last year, they were eliminated by Kansas City again, this time in the Round of 16 as Sporting would also move on to win the Open Cup.

US OPEN CUP FINAL EXPERIENCE

The Houston Dynamo roster is pretty limited when it comes to US Open Cup Final experience. Only three players have played in a Final. DaMarcus Beasley helped the Chicago Fire win the 2000 and 2003 US Open Cup titles, and he started both games. Chris Seitz was instrumental in helping FC Dallas break their trophy drought with the 2016 US Open Cup title. Andrew Wenger played for the Union in both Finals in 2014 and 2015, starting the first one against Seattle and coming off the bench in 2015 against Sporting Kansas City. Unfortunately for Wenger, what Union fans remember about his time in Philadelphia was that he missed the final penalty kick in the team’s loss to Kansas City. Dylan Remick won the 2014 US Open Cup with the Seattle Sounders but didn’t play in the championship game. Joe Willis was one of the main reasons why D.C. United won the 2013 US Open Cup title, but he did not play in the Final. Willis won all four games leading up to the Final (four games, two of them shutouts) in goal for United, but was replaced by Bill Hamid in the title game, a stunning 1-0 road win over Real Salt Lake.

Only one player on the Philadelphia Union roster has won the US Open Cup. CJ Sapong lifted the trophy with Sporting Kansas City in 2012. The rest of the players on the roster with Open Cup Final experience were players who suffered through the team’s failures in 2014 and 2015. Fabinho started in 2014, Ray Gaddis started both finals, Andre Blake started in 2015 (but was replaced by John McCarthy shortly before the PK shootout), Richie Marquez started in 2015, and CJ Sapong came off the bench in the 2015 title game.

PAST MEETINGS

Philadelphia ended the Dynamo’s 10-game home unbeaten streak and started Houston’s summer swoon with a 3-1 win at BBVA on July 25.

In that match, the Union broke a 1-1 tie after Houston went down a man in the 59th minute due to a straight red card issued to Tomas Martinez after video review determined he stepped on the foot of Union defender Auston Trusty.

Philadelphia then broke the tie in the 70th minute when Cory Burke scored off a through pass from Borek Dockal. It was also a Dockal through ball in the first half that netted the Union’s first goal from Alejandro Bedoya.

A late PK by Fafa Picault added the insurance in the 3-1 Union win.

The Dynamo’s lone goal came from Mauro Manotas in the 10th minute of the match.

The previous meeting between the two teams was on May 17, 2017 at Talen Energy Stadium and the Union shut out the Dynamo 2-0 behind goals by Picault and Ilsinho.

The last Dynamo win in the series was on July 2, 2016, a 1-0 affair at BBVA, with Cristian Maidana scoring in second half stoppage time to break the scoreless battle.

Overall: The series is tied between the two clubs 6-6-4.

At Houston: The Dynamo lead the series, 5-3-0.

TOP PLAYERS

Houston’s players to watch include Mauro Manotas who has scored four times in four games so far in this year’s Open Cup. Manotas is the club’s all-time leading scorer (8 goals) in US Open Cup play. Romell Quioto scored two goals against Sporting KC in a 4-2 quarterfinal win and was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round. Manotas leads Houston with 14 goals on the MLS season followed by Alberth Elis with 11. Quioto is the club’s assist leader with 11 followed by Elis (9), Tomas Martinez (8) and Boniek Garcia (5). Keeper Joe Willis is coming off a shutout at Orlando City.

The Union are led by midfielder Borek Dockal, who leads the team in assists (15) and has five goals, Cory Burke, who has played big roles in the Union’s Open Cup wins this season, and Fafa Picault lead the team with eight MLS goals each. Alejandro Bedoya and Haris Medunjanin are key in the Union midfield. Philadelphia’s keeper Andre Blake, always a candidate for MLS goalkeeper of the year, could be a difference maker.

WHY THE UNION WILL WIN

The Union are having the better season than the Dynamo and have a more well-rounded and deeper roster.

If this championship game was being played on neutral grounds then the Union would have a big edge, but even on the road, Philadelphia has the confidence with its win at BBVA in July over Houston and the big win at Seattle earlier this month.

Houston’s defense has been shaky at times this season and they will have their hands full with Borek Dockal feeding Cory Burke and Fafa Picault. In addition, Philadelphia has the ability to control the pace and play of the game with Alejandro Bedoya and Haris Mendunjanin in the midfield.

With Andre Blake primed to make big saves in goal and a roster that is fairly rested and injury-free for this time in the season look for Philadelphia to win the championship in their third attempt.

WHY THE DYNAMO WILL WIN

For the Dynamo this championship match is for all the marbles as they likely won’t make the MLS playoffs this season. This match can salvage an otherwise disappointing campaign.

They are playing at home, where opponents have found it tricky to come away with points. Even though the calendar has officially turned to Fall, September nights in H-Town can still be uncomfortably balmy and the Houston’s players have a big advantage of living and training in the muggy weather.

For Houston to win, the game must be wide-open and free-flowing as the Dynamo want to attack with the trio of Mauro Manotas up the middle and Romell Quioto and Aberth Elis on the wings. Elis, who slumped this summer after a strong start to 2018, must break free Wednesday if Houston is to win.

Finally, keeper Joe Willis had several big saves against Orlando over the weekend and he came up huge in the spot kicks in the US Open Cup semifinal victory over LAFC. If Willis has another hot outing Wednesday then Houston can hoist the cup.

BOTTOM LINE

The match will certainly be entertaining and expect goals.

We wouldn’t be surprised if Philadelphia stuns the Houston fans with an early goal but the Dynamo, throwing everything into the attack, could storm back and even take the lead.

The game will certainly be physical as the July encounter was between the two teams when there were 29 fouls whistled. The Dynamo saw a red card in that tussle and have had some meltdown games including an August loss at home to Sporting Kansas City that saw Houston ring up a club-record 10 cards, including three player ejections.

So don’t be surprise if there are fireworks Wednesday and the officiating crew is kept busy.

In the end, however, Houston has been unable to put away opponents this season, giving up a shocking amount of goals late, including goals allowed 90+7, 90+4, 90+6, 90+1, and 90+10 so the US Open Cup title may be decided by a late Philadelphia strike.