Some MLS coaches view the U.S. Open Cup as an inconvenience. FC Dallas coach Oscar Pareja has never been among them.
The competition, which allows amateur teams (like NTX Rayados, who play the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday) and any other teams in the U.S. to enter in a tournament format. Winning the tournament in 2016 is one of the highlights of Pareja's coaching career, and he plans to take FCD's match Wednesday against San Antonio FC seriously as well.
"First, I think it's our responsibility to fight for every trophy that's in play. Second, it's the Lamar Hunt Open Cup," Pareja said.