The Rapids fielded a full-strength side against the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies and the tactic worked to full effect, as they came away with a 3-1 victory.
Andre Akpan
2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Chicago Fire one win away from Open Cup after beating Rapids
Where there is smoke there is fire, or at least the Chicago Fire’s Jalil Anibaba. The rookie defender launched a 45 yard shot from the midst of a flare-induced haze just after the hour mark to give the hosts a 2-1 US Open Cup qualification victory over the reigning Major League Soccer champion Colorado Rapids Wednesday evening in Peoria, IL at Bradley University’s Shea Stadium.
2009 First Round: New name, same opening round result as PDL Fire top Bavarian SC
The Chicago Fire of the Premier Development League moved on to the Second Round of the US Open Cup with a 3-1 win over USASA power Bavarian SC of Milwaukee.
The Fire PDL franchise kept a streak going as they have won their opening round game in each of their three tournament appearances (2004, 2005, 2009), all of them under a different name.