FRISCO, Texas - The Chicago Fire saw their luck finally run out in their U.S. Open Cup run, a 10-man FC Dallas getting an early goal then holding on for a 1-0 victory on Wednesday night at Pizza Hut Park. It was FC Dallas' first-ever victory in their new stadium.
Ronnie O'Brien's goal in the 20th minute was enough to vault FC Dallas into the second Open Cup Final in club history and also gave the Hoops the Brimstone Cup to signify the winner of the season series between the clubs, awarded by their supporters clubs.
The home side had the better of the early play, but it was the Fire who had the best chance early on. But Scott Garlick had no problems smothering the low shot from Lubos Reiter in the 10th minute.
FC Dallas took the lead in the 20th minute as Greg Vanney played a long ball up the left flank for the running Ramon Nuñez, who eluded Logan Pause before finding O'Brien with a nice cross. O'Brien's first attempt was stopped by Fire 'keeper Zach Thornton, but the Irish midfielder remained poised and tapped in the rebound to seize the lead for FCD.
Garlick again came up big for his team in the 43rd minute, calmly facing John Thorrington on a one-on-one breakaway before stopping his point blank shot from with his left hand.
Fullback David Wagenfuhr came to the rescue of FCD in the waning seconds of the half, clearing a ball that was destined for the back of the net to preserve the halftime lead for the Hoops.
Carlos Ruiz had an apparent goal ruled out for offside, then Thornton twice played spoiler for the Guatemalan international in the 55th minute, keeping the Fire in the game by stopping two point blank shots as Ruiz was positioned at the left side of the post.
Valakari had received a yellow card early in the first half, then in the 55th minute he received his second for a tackle from behind in the midfield circle and the Hoops were down to 10 men.
FCD head coach Colin Clarke began to bring on more defensive players, as Drew Moor, Aaron Pitchkolan, Carey Talley and Chris Gbandi all came on. Fire coach Dave Sarachan tried to counter with more attacking options, bringing on Thiago, Tony Sanneh, Andy Herron and Will Johnson.
Thornton was determined to give his side a fighting chance, spreading wide to parry a shot from Ruiz in the 73rd minute that kept the difference just a single goal.
But luck was clearly not on the side of the Fire and that was most evident in the 77th minute as a wide open Lubos Reiter saw his header hit the post and bounce out of bounds.
Gonzalo Segares committed a reckless foul in the 90th minute to receive his second booking of the night, and as he went to the locker room so did the Fire's man advantage and their hopes as well.
The Hoops ran out the four minutes of stoppage time to claim victory for the first time in Pizza Hut Park and return to the Open Cup Final for the first time since 1997, when they defeated D.C. United on penalty kicks after a scoreless draw through 120 minutes.
Ron Goode is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
