Since its founding in 1998, the stated mission of the Chicago Fire on the field has been to capture two trophies every year - the MLS Cup and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This year is no different, and the Fire enters 2008 as the undisputed kings of the modern era of the tournament, having hoisted the coveted Dewar Trophy four times - 1998, 2000, 2003 & 2006 - in just ten years of play.
The U.S. Open Cup, which is recognized as U.S. Soccer's National Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. The tournament has crowned a champion for 93 consecutive years dating back to 1914.
The Fire has taken pride in competing in the U.S. Open Cup, and its results reflect that mindset. Since 1998, the "Men in Red" have racked up an impressive 26-6-0 record in the Open Cup, which has helped the squad reach the semifinal round on seven out of ten occasions and the tournament's final five times. The 2006 title marked the ninth time a team from Chicago won the Open Cup and made the Fire one of five teams to capture the crown at least four times in the tournament's nearly century-long history.
Within the U.S. Open Cup framework, teams compete in one of the following four categories: professional outdoor Division I (Major League Soccer), Division II (USL First Division) or Division III (USL Second Division); or Amateur Division (USL Premier Development League & U.S. Adult Soccer Association).
The Chicago Fire defeated the Columbus Crew Tuesday night 3-2 in overtime of an Open Cup play-in game at Shea Stadium in Peoria, Ill. with two goals coming for Fire forward Andy Herron.
"The Open Cup is a really important tournament, especially this year because the winner gets into CONCACAF Champions League tournament," says Andy Herron. "Teams always play hard in this tournament, but this season there is even more on the line. I think you can see it in the games. We fought hard on Tuesday, and we will continue to play hard to achieve our goal of winning both MLS Cup and the Open Cup."
The Fire now advance to the round of 16 on July 1 (location has yet to be determined) and will find out which team they will face next on June 24.
Keep an eye on the Fire's official blog "EN FUEGO" at www.chicagofiresoccer.blogspot.com for more Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup information and photos!
ALL-TIME LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP RESULTS (25-6-2)
2008
Play-In Game (6/10/08): Chicago Fire 3: 2 Columbus Crew - Shea Stadium, Peoria, Ill.
2007
Third Round (7/15/07): Carolina RailHawks (USL1) 1:0 Chicago Fire - SAS Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.
2006
Fourth Round (8/12/06): Chicago Fire 2:0 Kansas City Wizards (MLS) - TOYOTA PARK; Bridgeview, Ill.
Quarterfinals (8/23/06): Chicago Fire 2:1 New England Revolution (MLS) - TOYOTA PARK; Bridgeview, Ill.
Semifinals (9/06/06): Chicago Fire 3:0 D.C. United (MLS) - TOYOTA PARK; Bridgeview, Ill.
Final (9/27/06): Chicago Fire 3:1 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) - TOYOTA PARK; Bridgeview, Ill.
2005
Third Round (7/13/05): Western Mass Pioneers (USL2) 1:3 Chicago Fire - Lusitano Stadium; Ludlow, Mass.
Fourth Round (8/03/05): New England Revolution (MLS) 2:3 Chicago Fire (OT) - Lusitano Stadium; Ludlow, Mass.
Quarterfinals (8/24/05): Rochester Rhinos (USL1) 1:1 Chicago Fire (OT) (PKW 5-4) - Frontier Field; Rochester, N.Y.
Semifinals (9/14/05): FC Dallas (MLS) 1:0 Chicago Fire - Pizza Hut Park; Frisco, Texas
2004
Fourth Round (7/20/04): Columbus Crew (MLS) 1:2 Chicago Fire (OT) - Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
Quarterfinals (8/04/04): Richmond Kickers (A) 0:1 Chicago Fire - University of Richmond Stadium; Richmond, Va.
Semifinals (8/25/04): Chicago Fire 1:0 Charleston Battery (A) (2OT) - Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium; Naperville, Ill.
Final (9/22/04): Kansas City Wizards (MLS) 1:0 Chicago Fire (OT) - Arrowhead Stadium; Kansas City, Mo.
2003
Fourth Round (8/06/03): Milwaukee Wave United (A) 1:4 Chicago Fire - Uihlein Soccer Park; Milwaukee, Wis.
Quarterfinals (8/27/03): Chicago Fire 2:1 Colorado Rapids (MLS) - Cardinal Stadium; Naperville, Ill.
Semifinals (9/23/03): Chicago Fire 3:2 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) - Cardinal Stadium; Naperville, Ill.
Final (10/15/03): MetroStars (MLS) 0:1 Chicago Fire - Giants Stadium; East Rutherford, N.J.
2002
Third Round (7/17/02): Milwaukee Rampage (A) 1:0 Chicago Fire - Rampage Sports Complex; Franklin, Wis.
2001
Second Round (6/27/01): Chicago Fire 3:0 San Diego Flash (A) - Milwaukee County Sports Complex; Franklin, Wis.
Third Round (7/11/01): Kansas City Wizards (MLS) 0:1 Chicago Fire - Blue Valley Activity Complex; Overland Park, Kan.
Quarterfinals (7/24/01): Chicago Fire 3:2 Pittsburgh River Hounds (A) (2OT) - McCully Soccer Field; Wheaton, Ill.
Semifinals (8/22/01): Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) 1:0 Chicago Fire (OT) - Titan Field; Fullerton, Calif.
2000
Second Round (6/14/00): Chicago Fire 4:0 Texas Rattlers (D3) - Forest Park View Stadium; Arlington Heights, Ill.
Third Round (7/25/00): Chicago Sockers (PDL) 0:1 Chicago Fire - Forest Park View Stadium; Arlington Heights, Ill.
Quarterfinals (8/09/00): Chicago Fire 5:1 Dallas Burn (MLS) - Cardinal Stadium; Naperville, Ill.
Semifinals (8/23/00): Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) 1:2 Chicago Fire (2OT) - Titan Field; Fullerton, Calif.
Final (10/21/00): Chicago Fire 2:1 Miami Fusion (MLS) - Soldier Field; Chicago, Ill.
1999
Third Round (7/14/99): Rochester Rhinos (A) 1:0 Chicago Fire - Frontier Field; Rochester, N.Y.
1998
Third Round (7/06/98): Chicago Stingers (PDL) 1:3 Chicago Fire - Forest Park View Stadium; Arlington Heights, Ill.
Quarterfinals (7/22/98): San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) 1:1 Chicago Fire (OT) (PKW 4-3) - Cotton Bowl; Dallas, Texas
Semifinals (8/04/98): Dallas Burn (MLS) 2:3 Chicago Fire - Zephyr Field; New Orleans, La.
Final (10/30/98): Chicago Fire 2:1 Columbus Crew (MLS) (OT) - Soldier Field; Chicago, Ill.
