Zimbabwe international defender Teenage Hadebe won his first major trophy since his move to the US after helping Houston Dynamo lift only their second US Open Cup trophy in their history, following a 2-1 win against Inter Miami in the final on Thursday morning.
Hadebe, who recently made a comeback after a lengthy injury layoff was introduced as a late substitute for Houston Dynamo as they upstaged favourites Inter Miami in the final at DRV Pink Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Inter Miami was without superstar Lionel Messi as he recovers from what their coach Tata Martino previously described as “fatigue.”
Dynamo, who previously won the 2018 U.S. Open Cup, broke the deadlock in the 24th minute through a powerful shot from Griffin Dorsey.
Amine Bassi scored a penalty in the 33rd minute to double Dynamo’s lead which they held on to, ensuring Josef Martínez’s goal in injury time would be a mere consolation.
Hadebe’s Dynamo were the better team on the night for long stretches and now have a trophy to celebrate their turnaround.
Houston also currently sits in fifth place in the MLS’ Western Conference and in solid position not only for a playoff spot, but potentially home-field advantage.