Houston Dynamo, Orlando City, and Other Unlikely US Open Cup Champions

If there's one thing soccer in the United States has taught us over the past few years, it's that nothing's set in stone—least of all the favorites. Just take a look at the recent history of the US Open Cup. This is the oldest soccer competition in the country, and it's been delivering twist after twist, bringing underdog teams into the spotlight that few would've ever imagined hoisting the trophy. It's not just about who won, though; it's how these clubs got there, shaking up the scene and showing that soccer in the U.S. is evolving—and maybe in ways no one saw coming.

The list of US Open Cup champions in recent years tells that story perfectly. Since 2017, we haven’t seen the kind of domination you’d expect in top-tier competitions elsewhere around the world. Let’s break it down: 2023, Houston Dynamo; 2022, Orlando City; 2019, Atlanta United; 2018, Houston Dynamo again; and going back to 2017, Sporting Kansas City. But hey, what really jumps out here isn’t just the names of the winners—it’s the missing heavyweights. Where’s LAFC? Or even the Seattle Sounders? Are the usual giants slipping? Or is something else happening?

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Well, one thing’s clear—Houston Dynamo seems to have found their sweet spot. With two trophies in the last six years, they've managed to carve out a reputation as a team to be taken seriously. But the reality is, outside of the US Open Cup, Dynamo hasn’t exactly been tearing it up. Sure, they snagged the MLS Cup back in 2006 and 2007, but they’ve never really stayed at the top. So how do you explain winning two titles in a tournament that, on paper, should be dominated by the big-budget, powerhouse squads?

The answer might lie in the wild beauty of the US Open Cup itself. Unlike the MLS, where the grind of a long season rewards consistency and deep pockets, the US Open Cup is a knockout competition. And in knockout games, anything can happen. The drama's more raw, the pressure’s immediate. Houston Dynamo tapped into that, playing their best soccer when it mattered most, adding two trophies to their cabinet.

But Dynamo’s not the only team that's surprised us. In 2022, it was Orlando City's turn. And let’s be honest, nobody really saw that one coming—not fans, not experts. Like Houston, Orlando has struggled to find steady success. They've got talent, a solid fan base, but consistent winning has always seemed just out of reach. Yet, in the 2022 US Open Cup, they showed that on the right night, they can be a nightmare for anyone. That’s what makes this competition so captivating.

Look back at 2019, and we see Atlanta United on top. Now here’s a team that was firing on all cylinders. At that time, Atlanta was like the Manchester City of the U.S.—loaded with cash, expertly managed, and stacked with stars. So their victory in the US Open Cup seemed like a natural extension of their MLS dominance. But even Atlanta, with all that firepower, couldn’t turn that into a long-standing reign in the Open Cup like some might’ve expected.

So why not? Well, soccer in the U.S. is still expanding. Teams rise and fall from the top, and it’s tough to predict consistent outcomes—especially in a knockout competition. Take Sporting Kansas City, for example. They won in 2017, but haven’t repeated since, even though they’re a traditional powerhouse. That doesn’t mean they won’t be back, though. The US Open Cup’s history is full of surprises, which is what keeps it alive and interesting.

Tomorrow, LAFC and Sporting Kansas City are going head-to-head in the US Open Cup final. On one side, you’ve got LAFC, the young, ambitious team everyone’s calling the “new giant” of MLS. On the other, Sporting Kansas City—who know exactly what it takes to win this thing. Both teams have something to prove. LAFC wants to finally stamp their name on the oldest soccer competition in the country. Sporting Kansas City? They’re out to show they still have what it takes to hang with the best, just like they did back in 2017.

But if recent US Open Cup history has taught us anything, it’s that being a favorite on paper means diddly-squat. Houston Dynamo and Orlando City have made it pretty clear that flying under the radar can be a major advantage. So why not expect another shocker tomorrow?

With how balanced American soccer is these days, the US Open Cup trophy feels like it’s up for grabs by any team that can string together a few good performances. It only reinforces that this tournament’s got something special—something different from the MLS, where the big boys reign more often. In the US Open Cup, you can start as a long shot, but if you play smart and have the right game plan, you could end up lifting the cup.

And that's great for soccer in the U.S. The unpredictability keeps the excitement high and, more importantly, gives smaller, less wealthy clubs a shot at shining on the national stage. Who knows what other surprises this competition has in store for the coming years? If things keep going this way, we’re in for more unlikely stories, more epic nights, and even more unexpected champions.