The United States Soccer Federation conducted a blind draw to determine the hosting priorities for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final on Sept. 30. After it was all said and done, the Chicago Fire, who are seeking a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title, are the top priority to host the championship game if they defeat the Philadelphia Union in the Semifinals on Aug. 12.
If the Chicago Fire advance to the Final, they will be the 23rd Illinois club to play for an Open Cup title, which would move them into fourth place among all the states (New York, California, Pennsylvania). A win would allow them to host the tournament finale for the fourth time (1998, 2000, 2006) and the second time at Toyota Park.
Real Salt Lake finished as the second priority, so they will host the Final if they defeat Sporting Kansas City on Aug. 12 at Sporting Park. Back in 2013, Real Salt Lake hosted the first-ever Open Cup Final in the state of Utah in a 1-0 loss to DC United at Rio Tinto Stadium.
If both home teams win their Semifinal matches (Philadelphia and Sporting Kansas City), then the Philadelphia Union will host the championship game. If the Union host, it will be just the third time in the Modern Era that a team has hosted the Final in back-to-back seasons. The last time a Philadelphia team played for a title in two straight seasons was the Ukrainian Nationals in 1963 adn 1964.
As the fourth option, if Sporting Kansas City win their final four matchup with Real Salt Lake, then they will play the title game on the road. Statistically, it wouldn’t be a disaster as the road team is on a three-game unbeaten streak (2012 Final went to penalty kicks and is officially listed as a draw).
The potential times and venues for the Final have yet to be announced.
2015 US Open Cup Semifinals (Aug. 12)
Chicago Fire at Philadelphia Union – 7:30 p.m. ET
Real Salt Lake at Sporting Kansas City – 8:30 p.m. ET