Real Salt Lake vs. Houston Dynamo odds, predictions: 2023 U.S. Open Cup semifinal picks from proven soccer expert

A spot in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup final is on the line Wednesday when Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo square off in the semifinals at 9:30 p.m. ET in Houston. Houston are +109 favorites on the 90-minute money line (risk $100 to win $109), with Real Salt Lake listed at +210. A 90-minute draw returns +225 and the over/under is 2.5 goals. You can stream the game for free on CBS Sports Golazo Network.

CBS Sports Golazo Network is a first-of-its-kind free, 24-hour streaming network in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to global soccer coverage. CBS Sports Golazo Network is available to stream free on connected TV and mobile devices through the CBS Sports App and Pluto TV and on CBSSports.com, as well as on Paramount+. Click here to stream.

Before making any Real Salt Lake vs. Houston Dynamo picks, be sure to see what SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green has to say. 

After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Since last year's World Cup, Green has been profitable in multiple areas on his soccer picks, including the Champions League (+4.78 units), the FA Cup (+3.07), the EFL Cup (+3.64), Euro 2024 qualifiers (+3.01) and the Europa League (+1.60).

Here's a free look at Green's breakdown and picks, and don't forget to stream the game on CBS Sports Golazo Network!

Picks (posted Tuesday, Aug. 22):

• Real Salt Lake or tie double chance -125 (1 unit)
• Half-time draw +115 (0.5 units)

Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake will battle for a place in the US Open Cup final when they clash at PNC Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Ben Olsen's men should be full of confidence after they thrashed Portland Timbers 5-0 at the weekend. Amine Bassi, Nelson Quiñones, Corey Baird, Franco Escobar and Brad Smith were all on target in that heavy win. The result carried Houston up to sixth in the Western Conference standings, four points behind Real Salt Lake. The Dynamo have an excellent home record this season, with eight wins, two draws and two defeats from 12 games at PNC Stadium.

However, RSL boast the second best away record in the league, with six wins, three draws and just three defeats on the road. That could lead to a tight game on Wednesday.

Real Salt Lake Dominates Head-to-Heads

RSL are unbeaten in their last 11 games against Houston, which bodes well for their chances of getting a result in this match. However, they have not won at PNC Stadium since 2018. 

The teams have met four times in Houston since then. They drew 1-1 in 2019, and they have since played out three consecutive 0-0 draws at PNC Stadium. Houston had 61% of the possession when they clashed in May, and it managed 16 shots on goal throughout the game, but it could not find the back of the net.

That was not a problem for Olsen's men over the weekend, as they ripped Portland apart. It means they have now scored 24 goals in 12 home matches this season, and they have conceded only eight times.

The Dynamo have the second-best home record in the west this year. Unfortunately, they are absolutely dreadful on the road. They have picked up just one win, three draws and eight defeats from 12 away games this season, which is the worst away record in the Western Conference. That is why they are only sixth in the standings, 12 points behind conference leader St. Louis.

Yet it also shows just much the players benefit from the passionate home support inside PNC Stadium, which should fuel them on Wednesday.

Can RSL Rediscover Their Impressive Away Form?

RSL are unbeaten in their last nine MLS games. They beat New York Red Bulls 3-1 on July 15, which saw them move up to third in the table, and they have not played in the league since then.

They beat Seattle Sounders 3-0 and lost 3-0 to Monterrey in the group stage of the Leagues Cup, which was enough to earn them a place in the Round of 32. Pablo Mastroeni's men beat Mexican team León 3-1 on the road, which was a great result, but they then lost 4-0 to LAFC in California in the Round of 16.

That was a surprise, as RSL have not lost an away game in Major League Soccer since suffering a 2-1 defeat to FC Dallas in April. They have five wins and three draws from their last eight away matches in the league, so they will attempt to rediscover that form in Houston.

That defeat to LAFC could be considered a blip, as Real Salt Lake was unbeaten in its last nine games against domestic opponents, and it has been rock solid on the road. It is, therefore, a little surprising to see RSL as the heavy underdogs in this game, and the odds on RSL-tie double chance look appealing. They have now played for two weeks, so they should be well-rested, and they look capable of extending their unbeaten streak against Houston to 12 games.

Fourteen of Houston's 24 games this season have been all-square at the break, so the odds on a draw at half-time in this game also look attractive.

Now that you know who to pick, be sure to stream the game on CBS Sports Golazo Network!