Minnesota United knocked off the defending U.S. Open Cup champions via a stirring late comeback on Tuesday night, storming back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Houston Dynamo 3-2 on a steamy evening at BBVA Stadium.
Mason Toye's 89th-minute strike was the stunning game-winner, as the young striker netted from close range after a strong run and cross by Ethan Finlay. But the second-half brace from Darwin Quintero led the Loons' rally, as the creative Colombian conjured up visages of his devastating best to pull his team even before Toye won it.
It left the reigning champs heartbroken and frustrated after they seized a commanding early lead via Ronaldo Peña and Tomas Martinez and probably should've enjoyed an even bigger cushion heading into the break, as several other chances went begging.
Minnesota will now wait to host the winner of Wednesday's FC Dallas-New Mexico United match in the Open Cup's quarterfinal round next month.
Goals
- 9' - HOU - Ronaldo Peña | WATCH
- 37' - HOU - Tomas Martinez | WATCH
- 66' - MIN - Darwin Quintero | WATCH
- 82' - MIN - Darwin Quintero | WATCH
- 89' - MIN - Mason Toye | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: This is the kind of result that can linger for both sides, even long after the tournament's conclusion. Because it showed glimpses of what's possible – in Houston's case, how quickly all their good work can be undone by lazy defending, and for the Loons, how explosive they can be, even under arduous circumstances.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Quintero's second was a long-range howitzer that arrowed past Houston goalkeeper Michael Nelson, who was making his first-team debut. The strike made it a whole new ballgame.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: As clutch as Toye and Finlay were on the winner, this prize belongs to the "Goal Scientist," Darwin Quintero.
Up Next
- HOU: Saturday, June 22 at Portland (11 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
- MIN: Saturday, June 29 vs. FC Cincinnati (4 pm ET | ESPN in US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
