Fire Face Union Aiming to Bring U.S. Open Cup Championship Match to Toyota Park

No need to hide it. Wednesday’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal at Philadelphia Union isn’t just any other game for defender Eric Gehrig and the Chicago Fire.
“I think myself or any of the guys would be lying to you if there wasn’t a little something extra in it,” Gehrig said Monday. “It’s definitely a little different. You’re one win away from hosting the final on your home field. We’re excited, just got to put the head down and [put in] 90 minutes of work, winner-take-all into the final and you’re playing for a trophy, and you’re playing for a big trophy.”

Chicago, which is 6-4 in 10 all-time appearances in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals, attempts to take the next step toward that goal at 6:30 p.m. CT Wednesday in the first of back-to-back clashes against its fellow Eastern Conference side. A victory would grant the Fire the opportunity to
host the 2015 U.S. Open Cup championship
against either Sporting KC or Real Salt Lake, who'll square off in the opposite semifinal fixture at 7:30 p.m. CT Wednesday in Kansas City. 
Chicago and Philadelphia, who on Sunday will again go toe to toe at PPL Park at 6 p.m. CT in MLS action, are meeting for the second time this season. Chicago secured its first win of 2015 against the visiting Union back on March 29 at Toyota Park. 
Gehrig on Monday described the Men In Red as “trophy hungry,” and there's no shortage of reasons as to why. Of course, the club is eager to collect its long-awaited fifth U.S. Open Cup championship, but to do so in its first chance since Seattle Sounders FC last year equaled its record total of championships by an MLS club would be particulary sweet. 
It’s not just the players who are yearning for a trophy. Head coach Frank Yallop vividly remembers leading L.A. Galaxy to the 2006 U.S. Open Cup final, where his team fell to the Chicago Fire by a 3-1 score at Toyota Park. The memory continues to weigh heavily on his mind.

“It hurt,” Yallop said of that game. “It still hurts. Anytime you get to a final and don’t win it, it doesn’t feel good. First things first, we’ve got to get a result in Philadelphia. We’re primed and ready for that. But I think it’s massive for the club, especially when the season hasn’t gone well in the league play. We’re starting to get our team looking like the team I envisioned. Hopefully it’s enough to get past this game and go on to host it and do well.”
On the field for the aforementioned 2006 final at Toyota Park was Yallop's counterpart Wednesday night, Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin. Curtin -- a second-half stoppage-time sub in the 2006 championship -- twice raised the Dewar Trophy during his outstanding tenure with the Fire (2001-07) and is aiming to translate his experiences to his current squad. 
"I know Chicago's a club that's always taken the Open Cup very seriously," Curtin said in a news conference Tuesday. "It's 90 minutes, possibly 120, to decide who gets to play in a final. The records get thrown out the window and both teams will look to salvage something from what's been a difficult season. To have a young group of guys win together and know what that feels like is probably the most valuable thing that we could have right now."
Yallop has seen his side steadily improve over the course of their 2015 Open Cup campaign, which began with a 1-0 win over Louisville City FC on June 16. A month later, Mike Magee returned to net a brace in a 3-1 victory over Charlotte Independence, and on July 22 Chicago advanced when it put together one of its best all-around performances in a 3-1 victory over Orlando City SC. 
     READ: Fire Kick Off Pivotal Week In Philadelphia
To grab their first road win of the 2015 season, the Fire may have to do even better against a Union side playing in its third U.S. Open cup semifinal in the last four years. Philadelphia has been strengthened by the recent acquision of Swiss international Tranquillo Barnetta, while Cristian Maidana (11 assists), CJ Sapong (7 goals) and veteran Sebastien Le Toux (4 goals, 4 assists) will challenge the Chicago back four.
“At the end of the day,” Gehrig said, “if we take care of our own business, keep our team shape, finish our chances, get them on the counter and just keep the ball, I think we’ll be in good shape.”
Just two wins away from a trophy, the Fire are not looking past Wednesday. They know it will be a battle, but confidence is as high as ever.
“As long as the Chicago Fire goes out on the pitch and play the way we know we can," said defender Lovel Palmer, "we’ll be victorious. We’ve been competing well all season. It’s just been unfortunate that we haven’t gotten better results.”
CHICAGO FIRE IN U.S. OPEN CUP SEMIFINALS -- ALL-TIME