Steamrollers NTX Rayados, Houston Dutch Lions in U.S. Open Cup Wednesday

No stranger to Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play, high-scoring North Texas (NTX) Rayados roll their goal-machine against Houston Dutch Lions at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 in Conroe, Texas.

NTX Rayados lit up the scoreboard in two qualifiers to earn the trip to the Houston Dutch Lions pitch for first round U.S. Open Cup action. But the home team has posted some wide-margin wins lately, as well.

This would be the sixth-straight Open Cup for Rayados, save for a technical disqualification last year. That leaves them hungry to fight deep into the tournament and prove what we missed last time.

North Texas Rayados meets an equally eager Dutch Lions team ready to earn a dramatic Open Cup reputation. Expect a lot of scoring from two teams known to frustrate and confuse opponents.

The winner advances to second-round opponent San Antonio FC on Wednesday, May 17.

Houston Dutch Lions

National Premier Soccer League

• Last Time Out: 6-1 over Fury FC (Pre-season)
• Player to Watch Out For: F Carlos Acevedo will reach the net in this game as a top-scorer for the team. If you need a second choice, F Jose Pablo Covarrubias keeps close to his other striker in team production.
• Why They Win: They don’t get rattled when they opponent gets rolling. They counter, score and then stop the steamroller.
• Why They Won’t: They start out slow and try to cash in their home pitch credits. That won’t work against the experienced U.S. Open opponent they meet today.

Predicted lineup:

NTX Rayados

North Texas Premier Soccer Association

• Last Time Out: 2-0 over CD Montagua of New Orleans, La. (Qualifier)
• Player to Watch Out For: Start with brilliant ballhandler Gerardo Salas. Your second choice is anyone else on a roster that includes some near-miss players in the last MLS draft and some pro arena soccer players.
• Why They Win: As in the previous two qualifiers, the team figures out right away whether to put on the defensive brakes and execute a shutout with a thrifty score. Or they decide right away to unleash a high-score hurricane, leaving the opponents in a state of angry confusion.
• Why They Won’t: They take too long to settle on a reasonable game plan, letting the Dutch Lions rule. Give this home team an inch, they’ll take the game.

Predicted starting lineup:

Next: U.S.-born Striker Aron Johannsson to leave Bundesliga club

Predicted Score

NTX Rayados 4          HOUSTON Dutch Lions 3

Where: Dutch Lions Soccer Facility, Conroe, Texas

When: 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, May 10

Broadcast: Selected U.S. Open matches streamed on Twitter. Houston Dutch Lions updates, also NTX Rayados and TheCup.US.