PHOENIX — Phoenix Rising couldn’t keep up with the Houston Dynamo’s explosive late-game offensive tonight and ends its Lamar U.S. Open Cup campaign.
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May 7, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Rising and Houston Dynamo players battle for a cross during the second half at Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Phoenix struggled to get past Houston’s defense for most of the first half. Dynamo’s Felipe De Andrade Vieira would start the scoring with a goal in the 17th minute, with Rising playing from behind for the first time in this tournament.
Rising took advantage of a yellow card to Dynamo’s goalkeeper Blake Gillingham in the final minutes before halftime. After some pushing and shoving where the penalty was, Phoenix’s Dariusz Formella connected for a match-tying goal in the 49th minute, and his first of the season.
Formella with the equalizer ????#TodosRojos | #USOC2025 pic.twitter.com/BmMpHTEjk4
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) May 8, 2025
Both teams battled out in the second half, with opportunities to take the lead but to no avail. Emotions flared on penalties towards the end of regulation. After 90 minutes, Phoenix and Houston went into extra time tied, 1-1.
Rising’s Ihsan Sacko had an opportunity for a goal in the 98th minute but was declared offside. A minute later, Houston’s Jack McGlynn scored to give the Dynamo the late lead. Houston’s Ezequiel Ponce and Sebastian Kowalczyk added goals of their own in the 112th and 115th minutes, sealing the win for the Dynamo. This is the first time Phoenix lost in extra time this season, 4-1.
May 7, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Houston Dynamo midfielder Jack McGlynn (21) celebrates his goal against Phoenix Rising during the first overtime session at Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Phoenix looks to quickly shake off the loss as it gets back to USL action against New Mexico United on Saturday, May 10 at 6 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Phoenix Rising looks to secure its second US Open Cup win against previous MLS winners
