Houston Dynamo brush aside Philadelphia Union to win U.S. Open Cup

The Houston Dynamo emerged victorious to win the 105th edition of the U.S. Open Cup by beating the Philadelphia Union 3-0 in Houston on Wednesday.

The Dynamo made home advantage count as a first-half brace from Mauro Manotas sealed his side's first major trophy since its 2007 MLS Cup triumph. Auston Trusty's own goal added gloss to the scoreline after the break.

The victory also secured Houston's qualification to the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. In contrast, it was another bitter pill for the Union to swallow, adding a third U.S. Open Cup final defeat in the last five years after failures in 2014 and 2015.

The hosts came into the showpiece knowing this was their chance to salvage something from an MLS season which has crashed and burned thanks to just one win in their last 12 games. As a result, it was perhaps unsurprising that BBVA Compass Stadium looked half-empty, but those fans who did show up were rewarded in style.

The Dynamo took an early lead after a wild 30 seconds which began with Fafa Picault's headed goal for the Union being correctly ruled out for offside. Houston immediately powered down the other end of the field where Manotas nodded in Alberth Elis' low cross.

The visitors showed some signs of life after falling behind, but Houston struck a killer blow on 25 minutes as Manotas broke from midfield to fire in off the post for his 20th goal of the season in all competitions.

Ironically, after a more encouraging spell from the Union, the club hammered the final nail in their own coffin, as 20-year-old defender Trusty sidefooted into his own net. Though Philadelphia looked more lively after Jay Simpson's introduction, it was well beaten and must now pick itself up for the final MLS playoff push.

For the Dynamo, a maiden U.S. Open Cup triumph may not have been this campaign's ultimate goal, but a first piece of silverware in 11 years goes some way toward lifting the recent malaise.