Mauro Manotas leads Dynamo to first U.S. Open Cup in club history

Mauro Manotas scored twice off assists by Alberth Elis in the first half to lead the host Houston Dynamo to a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union in the final of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at BBVA Compass Stadium on Wednesday.

It was the Dynamo's first Open Cup title and the first trophy for the organization since winning MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007.

There hadn't been a first-time winner of the Open Cup since 2001.

The Dynamo added an own goal by Philadelphia defender Auston Trusty in the 65th minute, and Joe Willis made five saves for the shutout.

Philadelphia is still looking for its first championship in any competition since joining Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 2010. The Union also lost Open Cup finals in 2014 and 2015.

Manotas, a 23-year-old Colombian, has 14 goals in MLS this season and led all Open Cup scorers with six goals.

He put the Dynamo ahead in the 4th minute, about 30 seconds after the Union's Fabrice-Jean Picault had a goal disallowed for being offside.

Elis then dribbled down the right side of the box to deliver a service in front of the goal. Manotas went to his knees to head the ball past goalkeeper Andre Blake.

Manotas made it 2-0 in the 25th with a brilliant run starting 40 yards out. He then struck the ball to the lower left corner from 18 yards.

Houston earned an automatic berth to the CONCACAF Champions League for the chance to represent the CONCACAF region in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup.

The 2018 Open Cup began with 97 teams from all levels of American soccer from amateurs to professionals. Houston receives $300,000 to share. Philadelphia pockets $100,000.