On Wednesday night in Houston, the first piece of silverware for US-based MLS clubs in 2018 will be lifted as the Dynamo host the Philadelphia Union for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final. What's at stake:
The glory of winning a trophy
US Open Cup trophy | USA Today Sports
First and foremost, a trophy will be won on Wednesday night. That's obviously a huge deal, full stop.
"(Winning trophies) is the most important thing," Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera told US Soccer. "It’s hard to put into words what it would mean for the club, the city, the fans and the players. You don’t win trophies every day."
The Dynamo have struggled in 2018, specifically throughout the summer, winning twice in 16 tries from May 30 through Sept. 1 (including a 10-match winless streak) in MLS play. After starting 5-3-3, the team has crashed to third-bottom in the Western Conference. Winning the Open Cup would help salvage a disappointing season.
Philadelphia's season has had its up and downs, though it's been markedly different from Houston's campaign. After a 2-5-2 start, the Union improved through the grind of the season, and are now ensconced comfortably above the playoff line, with a chance to host a knockout game should they finish the season strong. That quest is on pause Wednesday night with the immediate gratification of potentially winning the Open Cup.
"We’ve got guys in the team who’ve never won trophies – guys with experience – and I want them to have that special moment that I had as a player," said Union boss Jim Curtin, who twice won the US Open Cup in his playing days.
Both teams would break a trophy drought with a win. The Dynamo last experienced glory in 2007 when they won MLS Cup, and the Union have never won a trophy since entering the league in 2010, though they came close by reaching the US Open Cup final in 2014 and 2015.
Concacaf Champions League qualification
On top of winning a domestic trophy, the Open Cup unlocks the potential to win a continental trophy. The winner on Wednesday night will be granted qualification for the 2019 Concacaf Champions League, with the opportunity to become the first MLS team to win the competition.
Playing, and doing well, will boost a club's brand. Toronto FC grew in stature and reputation after making the CCL final this year after their historic 2017 MLS season.
The Dynamo have competed in the competition four times and the Union have never featured.
Prize money
Lastly, the winning club will be compensated for their triumph and the runner-up will get some pocket change, too.
The winners will earn $300,000 in prize money (up from $250,000 last year) and the runners-up will $100,000 in prize money (up from $60,000).
