Houston Dynamo Look to Avoid Cupset Against Surging Louisville City in Open Cup Round of 16

(image via Aldo Canale)

The Houston Dynamo return to Lamar Hunt US Open Cup play as they host USL Championship club Louisville City FC in the Round of 16. Houston beat El Paso Locomotive in the Round of 32 to get to this match. Louisville took down Major League Soccer’s Austin FC in a “cupset” to advance.

When: Wednesday, April 29 | 7:03 PM CT kickoff

Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas

TV/Stream: Paramount+

Take Advantage

All of the Major League Soccer clubs that entered the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in the Round of 32 faced lower division competition. The Dynamo took care of their match, beating El Paso 4-1. Now, after Louisville pulled off an upset over Austin, the Dynamo get to face another USL Championship club. And, they get to do it at Shell Energy Stadium again. It obviously won’t be easy, and it’s one game at a time, but the path to the quarterfinals has laid out nicely for Houston. The cards have played out well for the Dynamo, now they need to take advantage.

Markanich Magic

Nick Markanich took advantage of getting a start in the last round against El Paso. He scored a goal and added an assist in the win, and was named to the Team of the Round. Markanich, who head coach Ben Olsen called “probably the best finisher” among their group of forwards, will likely get another start tonight amidst a crowded schedule for the Dynamo. Before leaving for Spain, Markanich broke the USL Championship record for goals in a season and now he could get another shot to inflict damage against a USL team.

Louisville Looking for More

Taking down one MLS team was a huge achievement for Lousiville, and after beating Austin at home, Louisville will look to claim another higher league scalp, this time on the road. The win over Austin, was no fluke either. Louisville currently sit in first place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference with 16 points from their seven league matches. They' also come into this match rested. Louisville rested some starters this past weekend in their USL Cup match. It didn’t slow them down, as they beat Fort Wayne 3-1. The Dynamo did play Lousville earlier this year, beating them 4-2 in a preseason friendly on January 24. Lousiville will come into this match in good form, full of confidence, and looking to take down another one of the “big boys.”

Houston Dynamo FC – no availability report

Austin FC – no availability report

Predicted Lineup