HOUSTON DYNAMO v CAROLINA DYNAMO (PDL)
Wed., Aug. 2, Robertson Stadium, Houston, Texas (5:30 p.m. CT)
The Houston Dynamo take on their namesake Carolina Dynamo as the Orange play their first-ever U.S. Open Cup match. The PDL (fourth-tier) side is looking to pull off a major upset after seeing their undefeated season come to a crashing halt in the playoffs last weekend.
HOUSTON DYNAMO
IN THE OPEN CUP: This is the first-ever appearance for the Houston club in the U.S. Open Cup. But many Houston Dynamo players have considerable U.S. Open Cup experience, nearly all with the San Jose Earthquakes, who had a distinguished record in the competition. ... The Earthquakes entered the Open Cup on eight occasions, and seven times, reached at least the quarterfinals. However, they advanced beyond that stage just one time - in 2004, when they lost 1-0 to the Kansas City Wizards in the semifinals. On four occasions the Los Angeles Galaxy dumped out the Earthquakes at the quarterfinal round (2000, 2001, 2002, 2005). ... The Earthquakes twice lost to lower-division competition. In 1997, they lost 2-1 to the D3 Pro League San Francisco Bay Seals, then in 2003 lost 1-0 to the A-League Seattle Sounders.
CAROLINA DYNAMO
IN THE OPEN CUP
This is the seventh time the Carolina Dynamo have reached the Open Cup proper, at their third different level. In 1996, as part of the USISL Select League, they reached the quarterfinals - their best-ever placing - before losing 4-0 to D.C. United in Charlottesville, Va. On two other occasions - in 1999 and 2001 - they've faced MLS competition, both times while playing in the D3 Pro League, and both times losing to the Columbus Crew. ... Over the last three seasons, Carolina has qualified from the PDL, and each of the last two years has had their run ended by a USL First Division team. In 2004 it was the Virginia Beach Mariners (0-5). Last year, the Carolina Dynamo defeated adult amateur side Bavarian SC of Milwaukee 5-1 in the first round, then knocked off PSL Charlotte Eagles 4-2 in the second round, before falling 3-2 to the Atlanta Silverbacks in the third round.
THIS YEAR: The Carolina Dynamo have had a great run to the fourth round of the Open Cup this year. Entering in the first round, they defeated the PDL Cape Cod Crusaders 4-3 (Randi Patterson 40, 45+, 60; own goal 57 - David Bulow 48 pen, 70; David McGuide 51). They then knocked off the USL2 Richmond Kickers 1-0 in the second round (Ben Hunter 30), before stunning the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division 3-2 in the third round (Michael Lahoud, Ben Hunter, Darryl Roberts - Cam Weaver, Andrew Gregor).
FORM GUIDE: The Carolina Dynamo sailed through the regular season undefeated - going 14-0-2 in the South Atlantic Division of the Southern Conference of the Premier Development League (fourth tier), before being shocked 1-0 last weekend by the Bradenton Academics in the opening round of the playoffs and seeing their league campaign come to a close. ... Randi Patterson led the Dynamo with 15 goals (third-most in the PDL) while Darryl Roberts had 10; Ben Hunter had seven assists to lead the club.
