The Chicago Fire learned Thursday its first obstacle en route to seizing a fifth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy in 2015.
After concluding the fourth round draw Thursday night for the 102nd edition of the tournament, the Men in Red are set to face the winner of a third-round match between USL side Louisville City FC and NASL’s Indy Eleven.
The third-round fixture will be played at the home of Indy Eleven - IUPUI's Michael A. Carroll Stadium - on Wednesday, May 27. The winner will travel to face the Fire at Toyota Park on Tuesday, June 16, marking the opening stage of the tournament for the 17 domestic Major League Soccer clubs, joining the 15 winners from the third round.
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The Men in Red - with a 52-36-12 all-time record in the oldest ongoing soccer competition in the U.S. and the world’s third-longest-running open soccer tournament - have yet to face either of the sides in Open Cup play.
Champions of the annual competition in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006, the Fire will look to eclipse the penultimate hurdle that has prevented them from reaching the final in the last two years, bowing out of the semifinals at the hands of three-time winner D.C. United and defending champion Seattle Sounders FC in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
The fourth round match is wedged between the rescheduled regular season fixture in Foxboro against the New England Revolution on June 13 and a home contest against United at Toyota Park on June 24. It'll bring to an end a month in which Frank Yallop's side will now play five matches in a span of three weeks.
Chicago Fire
