Baird hat trick sends Dynamo to USOC quarterfinals
The Houston Dynamo welcomed Minnesota United to Shell Energy Stadium for a Round of 16 encounter in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The crowd was sparse for a rare Tuesday night match but the Dynamo offense clicked on all cyclinders with Corey Bairdβs hat trick firing Houston to victory.
Erik Sviatchenko captained the Dynamo in his first appearance for Houston since signing from Denmark. Dynamo 2 captain Talen Maples was signed to a short-term loan before the match and made his first start for the senior team. The away side had the first big chance of the half on 25 minutes. Bongi Hlongwane had the ball fall to his feet right in front of goal after a miscue from Brad Smith. Dynamo goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell came out and made himself big to smother the shot and keep the game scoreless.
Houston would get their two biggest chances of the half just moments apart. Nelson Quinones was played through on goal in the 31st minute but Minnesotaβs Clint Irwin came off his line to make a big save. Just seconds later, Amine Bassi lifted a ball into the box that was handled by Minnesota. Referee Ramy Touchan pointed to the spot immediately. Corey Baird took the ball and beat Irwin straight down the middle on the penalty kick to give the Dynamo a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute.
Five minutes later things got worse for the away side. Midfielder Kervin Arriaga was shown his second yellow of the half for a silly foul in the 38th minute. Touchan showed him red and gave him his marching orders, forcing Minnesota to play with 10 for the remainder of the match. The Dynamo had a few decent looks in the final minutes of the first half but they couldnβt convert on any and took their 1-0 lead to the break.
Ethan Bartlow replaced Sviatchenko to begin the second half as the Dynamo looked to gain control of the match playing up a man. Houston did well to hold possession with the man advantage and after an hour of play, Ben Olsen brought on Ibrahim Aliyu and Hector Herrera. The Mexican curled a left-footed shot just wide in the 66th minute, a sign of things to come.
Just two minutes later, in the 68th minute, Baird would bag his brace and secure the win. Amine Bassi, who played very well in his natural number 10 role, played a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Baird through on goal. Irwin came off his line to challenge but Baird cheekily chipped the keeper to make it 2-0.
The Dynamo would add a third for good measure and it was the newcomer Ibrahim Aliyu who got in on the festivities with Baird playing provider. Houston once again broke free of the 10 men of Minnesota as Baird slipped a great pass in behind the defense. The young Nigerian found himself one on one with Irwin and calmly slotted his shot to the lower right corner to make the game 3-0 and put a stamp on the Dynamo in the quarterfinals.
Baird would seal his hat trick in the 89th minute. Baird made a good run into the center of the box and Aliyu squared a pass to him that was slotted in for his third of the night. Baird has gotten a lot of grief from Dynamo fans for his lack of scoring. It was a 10 man Minnesota for a huge chunk of the game but a hat trick is a hat trick and Corey Baird now has one in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Houston will learn their quarterfinal opponent tomorrow when Austin FC hosts the Chicago Fire. The Dynamo will play on the road against whoever wins that match. That game will take place on either June 6 or June 7. Houston plays at St. Louis CITY SC on June 3 and then hosts LAFC on June 10.
