Eric Casey

It took over a thousand miles of travel from Illinois to Massachusetts — and nine rounds of penalty kicks in increasingly cold and dark conditions —  but Chicago House AC are heading to the 2023 U.S Open Cup. Their 8-7 victory in penalties over Brockton FC United at Randolph High School in the final round of qualifying came following a 1-1 score at the end of the extra time, sending the squad founded by former Chicago Fire executive Peter Wilt to their first ever edition of the tournament.

Brockton seemed to be reveling in their relative home field advantage in the initial minutes of the game, and looked the stronger side for much of the first half. Just five minutes in, Brockton pressed a defender who was attempting to wrangle a ball from his keeper, resulting in a takeaway that was quickly turned into a low cross into the box by Brockton’s Cardoso Elizandro. It found the foot of Euclides Mendonca, who calmly slotted the ball past Chicago’s  Tony Halterman to give his team the early lead.

Following the early goal, the rest of the first half was rather uneventful — with the exception of a four minute stoppage of play beginning in the 22nd minute to debate which of the balls that were strewn about the technical area were game balls, and which weren’t.

After a few minutes of lively discussion between both benches and the officials, this was eventually sorted out, and Brockton found a few more attacking opportunities before the end of the half. 

A 29th minute opportunity on a ball bouncing at the top of the box saw Brockton’s Geo Alves narrowly miss a chance to give his team a 2-0 lead, and a 30 yard freekick taken just before the halftime whistle by Mendonca had to be carefully handled by Halterman.

Just posted a bunch more pics from yesterday’s @opencup match betwen @ChicagoHouse_AC and @BrocktonFc! https://t.co/QA5joU4lKY pic.twitter.com/T1H6au5vdX

— Burt Granofsky Photo (@burtphoto) December 18, 2022

The second half started with Brockton retaining the momentum they had in the first. A 48th minute cross after a strong United counter attack looked threatening, but ended up sailing harmlessly through the box for a Chicago goalkick. It would be one of a number of good crosses that Brockton failed to finish in the second half, as eventually Chicago House began to find their footing. In the 67th minute, a House shot nearly found the back of the net, but Brockton keeper Fabio Andrade made a quick kick save to safely knock the ball out of play. 

Chicago increased the pressure on Brockton as the half wore on, and in the 80th minute, they finally equalized. A botched bicycle kick on a cross into the box eventually bounced its way to Anthony Smith Jr., who headed past a diving Andrade, knotting the game at 1-1.

Chicago then had multiple chances to give themselves a lead before the end of regulation. In the 85th minute, Brockton’s Andrade had to make a triple save to keep Chicago from netting a second goal, and the final touch of regular time was a Chicago header that sailed just over the top of the bar. 

80’ ⁦@ChicagoHouse_AC⁩ equalizes!!!! pic.twitter.com/AmCMbGjpFz

— MASS Soccer (@MASS_Soccer) December 17, 2022

Once the final whistle of regulation time blew, the game’s officials began conferring with a representative from US Soccer on how to proceed, as the field was getting increasingly dark as the sun began to set. Unsure if a custodian from Randolph High School was going to be able to make it to the school to turn the stadium’s lights on, it was determined that the game should proceed with two 10-minute halves of extra times rather than the traditional 15.

Brockton had an early chance in the 2nd minute of extra time when a bouncing cross landed at the feet of Mendonca, but his shot went wide past the post. As extra time wore on, Chicago House AC Head Coach Matt Poland continued to express his displeasure with the lighting situation to the fourth official and the representative from US Soccer, being sure to mention the extreme travel distance and lack of locker rooms that his team also had to endure.

In the second half of extra time, Brockton had two additional chances on long throw-ins into the box, but failed to find the net. As darkness truly began to set in, extra time came to an end with the two teams tied at 1-1.

After a short discussion between officials, it was determined that penalties would proceed as normal despite the dark conditions, and it became increasingly difficult for anyone but the players and officials to determine what was happening on the field. Brockton’s Fabio Andrade stopped Chicago’s first penalty kick, but Chicago’s Tony Halterman stopped Brockton’s second, tying things at one a piece after two rounds. The next three rounds saw no saves, leading the teams to be tied four goals at the end of five, sending the teams into sudden death.

All kicks were successfully converted until the ninth round, when a roar of cheers from the Chicago players indicated to the crowd and benches that their keeper had made a save. A successful conversion by Chicago moments later sealed the victory for the club, giving them the 7-6 shootout win.

Chicago House AC goalkeeper Tony Halterman continued to play an important role in his club’s qualifying run. After scoring the game winning penalty in their shootout victory over 1927 SC in the second qualifying round, he netted another goal and made two saves in this game’s shootout round.

“That’s the longest shootout I’ve been a part of,” said Halterman, “I was my number one penalty taker for my club growing up, it’s just something I love doing.”

As the players celebrated with a banner and bottles of champagne following the game, most involved seemed to agree that it was one of the most bizarre games they had ever been a part of.

“With the lights and everything, it’s probably the craziest game I’ve ever been involved in,” said Chicago House AC Head Coach Matt Poland.” There was a lot of drama, but you come to find out that’s what the Open Cup is.”

@ChicagoHouse_AC last goal in PKs pic.twitter.com/HmwxtLtYqG

— MASS Soccer (@MASS_Soccer) December 18, 2022

In addition to the cold, windy and increasingly dark conditions on the field, Chicago House had to overcome the adversity of traveling over a thousand miles to play this final game of US Open Cup qualifying.

“We flew in last night, and our plane got delayed. We didn’t get here until 2:30 in the morning, but we were excited to get here,” said Poland, “We got a couple hours of sleep and then we came here to play.”

Founded in 2021, Chicago House AC began playing in NISA in the 2021 Fall season, but following a dispute with NISA they were voted out of the league, and were therefore unable to participate in the 2022 Open Cup. A successful cup run in 2023 could eventually lead to them playing Chicago Fire, their cross-town competitors where Chicago House AC founder Peter Wilt won three cups as an executive in 1998, 2000 and 2003.