After failing to qualify for the playoffs in 2010, Houston rebounded and finished 2nd in the conference. During the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs, Houston beat the Philadelphia Union 3–1 over two legs. In the Eastern Conference Final, Houston defeated Kansas City 2–0 to reach their third ever MLS Cup, where they fell 1–0 to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the final. The Dynamo failed to qualify for the U.S. Open Cup, losing to Sporting Kansas City in the Qualification Semi-finals.