MATCH PREVIEW: Houston Dynamo FC launches US Open Cup title defense against Detroit City FC

HOUSTON (May 6, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC start their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup title defense Shell Energy Stadium on Tuesday, May 7, hosting USL Championship side Detroit City FC in the Round of 32. The match kicks off at 7:00 PM CT and tickets are available HERE.

If the Dynamo advances to the Round of 16, Houston will travel to take on the winner of Indy Eleven and San Antonio FC. The tournament champion will earn a berth in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, which would be the second consecutive appearance for Houston.

Houston ends the week with a return to MLS play with a road trip to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, May 11, followed by a midweek road trip to in-state rivals Austin FC on Wednesday, May 15.

The Dynamo won the 2023 US Open Cup with a 2-1 win over Inter Miami CF at Chase Stadium in September. Houston’s scorers that night were Griffin Dorsey and Amine Bassi. Notably, Houston never trailed in a game during the championship campaign.

The victory secured Houston’s fourth league title in club history after the Dynamo won back-to-back MLS Cup titles in 2006 and 2007, as well as the 2018 US Open Cup.

Head coach Ben Olsen, who recently signed a multi-year contract extension with the Dynamo, became the third coach to win the US Open Cup with two different teams, having lifted the trophy as a player (2008) and head coach (2013) with DC United . Assistant coach Aurélien Collin also won the cup title in 2012 as a player at Sporting Kansas City.

Detroit City FC participates in the USL Championship and is currently third in the Eastern Conference with a 5-1-1 (WLD) record and 16 points. Detroit advanced to the Round of 32 after earning a 1-0 home victory over local foe Michigan Stars FC, which plays in NISA earlier this month. The match was decided by a goal in injury time from Maxi Rodriguez.

Houston is currently eighth in the Western Conference with a 4-4-2 (WLD) record and 14 points. The Dynamo overturned a two-match deficit on Saturday to earn a goalless draw at home after keeping a powerful St. Louis CITY SC attack off the scoresheet. The result marked Houston’s third clean sheet of the season, while he also scored a season-high 22 shots that night. In addition, captain Héctor Herrera made his first start of the season on his way back from injury.

Now in his 109th^e edition, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup has crowned champions every year since 1914, except 2020 and 2021. The history-filled tournament is held on a single-match knockout basis and is open to all professional and amateur teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer.

Houston ends the week with a return to MLS play with a road trip to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, May 12, followed by a midweek road trip to local rival Austin FC on Wednesday, May 15.