The Chicago Fire resume their quest for a fifth U.S. Open Cup crown Tuesday night, hosting the upstart Charlotte Independence of the United Soccer League (USL) in Round of 16 action at 7:30 p.m. CT at Toyota Park.
The match will stream live on Chicago-Fire.com with the broadcast tandem of Dan Kelly and Kevin Egan donning the headsets.
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Chicago defeated Louisville City FC, 1-0, in extra time on June 16 to reach this week’s Round of 16. Should the Fire secure a victory, the Men In Red would then host a quarterfinal contest (July 21 or 22) against the winner of the Orlando City SC vs. Columbus Crew SC match also being played Tuesday night. See the bottom of this release for the complete lineup of U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 fixtures.
CHICAGO FIRE vs. CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE
• Two non-MLS sides remain in the U.S. Open Cup, with Tuesday’s visitors, the Charlotte Independence, representing the lone USL club still standing. Charlotte advanced to the Round of 16 match with a 1-0 defeat against the New England Revolution on June 17, scoring the winner on a remarkable 55th-minute volley by Jorge Herrera. It was the seventh career Open Cup goal for the Colombian striker.
• The Chicago Fire and the expansion Charlotte Independence share a close connection in the form of Charlotte head coach Mike Jeffries. Jeffries enjoyed three different stints on staff for the Chicago Fire, the first as an assistant coach from 1998-2000 when he helped the club claim two U.S. Open Cup titles and one MLS Cup. Following coaching stops at both the MLS and collegiate levels, the former Duke University standout returned to the Fire as an assistant in 2008 and again as Director of Player Personnel from 2010-12.
• Charlotte’s roster also features two former members of the Fire Premier Development League program in defenders Chris Estridge and Andrew Ribeiro. Estridge and Ribeiro played on the Fire PDL side that advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2011 U.S. Open Cup.
• Charlotte defenders Chris Estridge and Andrew Ribeiro both played for the Chicago Fire Premier team in 2011. Each scored once as their Premier Development League side advanced to the third round of the 2011 U.S. Open Cup.
Opponent Profile:
Record: 4-4-4, 16 points
Last four matches: 2-1-2, 8 points
Goals leader: Ryan Finley (4)
Assists leader: Jorge Herrera (4)
Saves leader: John Berner (17)
Keep An Eye On:
Ryan Finley. There’s a reason the 24-year-old striker was picked ninth overall by Columbus Crew in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Though he struggled in short stints with Columbus and Chivas USA, he has found his form with Charlotte. With nine points in 10 matches, Finley is a guy the Fire have to make sure they don’t allow to get in behind the defense.
2015 U.S. OPEN CUP ROUND OF 16
Date |
Game |
Time/Result |
Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
June 30 |
Charlotte Independence (USL) at Chicago Fire (MLS) |
7:30 p.m. CT |
Toyota Park |
June 30 |
D.C. United (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS) |
6:30 p.m. CT |
PPL Park |
June 30 |
Columbus Crew SC (MLS) at Orlando City SC (MLS) |
6:30 p.m. CT |
Orlando Citrus Bowl |
June 30 |
Colorado Rapids (MLS) at Houston Dynamo (MLS) |
8 p.m. CT |
BBVA Compass Stadium |
July 1 |
New York Cosmos (NASL) at New York Red Bulls (MLS) |
6:30 p.m. CT |
Red Bull Arena |
July 1 |
FC Dallas (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS) |
7:30 p.m. CT |
Sporting Park |
July 1 |
Portland Timbers (MLS) at Real Salt Lake (MLS) |
9 p.m. CT |
Rio Tinto Stadium |
July 1 |
LA Galaxy (MLS) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) |
9:30 p.m. CT |
Avaya Stadium |
