BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Fans of both the Chicago Fire and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament will have the opportunity to take photos with the most historic piece of hardware in U.S. sports, the Dewar Cup, during the Fire's contest against the Los Angeles Galaxy this Saturday, Sept. 23 (7:30 p.m. CT) at TOYOTA PARK. Fans will be asked to make a charitable donation that day to take a picture with the Dewar Cup, with all proceeds from this exclusive opportunity benefiting the FireWorks for Kids Foundation - the Fire's charitable arm - as well as the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Saturday's photo opportunity will begin when the TOYOTA PARK gates open at 6:00 p.m. and will last through halftime - a precursor to the two teams' battle for the Dewar Cup four nights later in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Championship match on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at the Fire's home in Bridgeview. The trophy will be on display for fan photos at the FireWorks For Kids Foundation booth, located on the northeast concourse of the stadium. Fans are reminded that they are responsible for bringing their own camera.
"We are honored to make the Dewar Cup available for our fans to photograph," said FireWorks for Kids Foundation CEO Donald Ortale. "The Fireworks For Kids Foundation is very grateful to the National Soccer Hall of Fame for the opportunity to display this cherished trophy and develop funds for the programs of the FireWorks For Kids Foundation. We fully intend to share these funds with the Hall of Fame as a gesture of appreciation and to forward their outreach efforts."
The Dewar Cup is the oldest trophy in United States team sports history and was donated to the American Amateur Football Association in 1912 by Sir Thomas R. Dewar, a British distiller, sportsman and philanthropist during an AAFA (now United States Amateur Soccer Association) visit to London prior to the 1912 Olympics. The trophy was originally purchased for $500 and given in the hope of promoting soccer in the United States and in the name of Anglo-American friendship. The cup was first awarded to the Yonkers Football Club (N.Y.) in 1912 after they defeated the Hollywood Inn Football Club (N.Y.) at the Lennox Oval in New York City.
The trophy was officially adopted as the U.S. Open Cup trophy prior to the Brooklyn Field Club's inaugural championship in 1914 in Pawtucket, R.I. The trophy was retired in 1979, but was refurbished by the USASA in 1997 and was presented to the 1997 and 1998 Open Cup winners before permanently returning to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Every U.S. Open Cup champion's team name is inscribed in the base of the Dewar Cup following the championship.
About FireWorks For Kids Foundation
Since 1998, the FireWorks For Kids Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire, has made significant contributions to enhance the lives of disadvantaged youth throughout Chicagoland. Each year, the FWFK Foundation renews its commitment to enhance the lives of others by remaining focused on the mission of supporting organizations whose programs provide educational and recreational opportunities for economically or otherwise challenged children in and around Chicago.
