Chicago Fire

2016 US Open Cup Round 5: David Accam latest Chicago Fire player from Ghana to win TheCup.us Player of the Round

July 18, 2016 by Jeff Engelhardt

David Accam of the Chicgao Fire scored a pair of first half goals to help the home team beat the Columbus Crew, 2-1. Photo: Chicago Fire

David Accam’s brace in a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Crew earned the Chicago Fire striker TheCup.us Player of the Round honors for the Fifth Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Accam’s brace keeps him very much alive in the Golden Boot race as his three total goals is good for second most in the tournament and only two behind leader Edwin Borboa of La Maquina FC, which has been eliminated.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

Accam narrowly beat out PC from the Fort Lauderdale Strikers with Tyler Miller (Seattle Sounders) and Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union) also receiving strong consideration.

The key factor that could have set Accam’s brace from the others was his spectacular first goal, perhaps the best strike of the tournament. In the 7th minute, Accam found himself at the top of the 18-yard box on the right side. He made a quick cut back to his right foot that left a pair of defenders going the wrong way and sent in a curving shot to the back post for the lead. The second goal came in the 29th minute when right back Rodrigo Ramos sent a cross toward the six-yard box that Accam calmly tapped in for the score.

The two goals were crucial for the Fire as Columbus dominated possession much of the second half and drew within one in the 79th minute when Ethan Finlay converted a penalty kick.

Accam is not the first Ghana native to win the award. In fact, he’s not even the first Ghanaian from the Chicago Fire to win. The last Fire player to win Player of the Round was actually the first Ghanaian to win the award. That player was Dominic Oduro who helped lead the Fire to a Semifinal win over the Richmond Kickers (USL) in 2011. Accam is only the fourth Fire player to win Player of the Round.

Accam’s effort ensured the Fire a spot in the quarterfinals for the 13th time (third most in tournament history) and will give Chicago a chance to make the semifinals for a remarkable fourth consecutive year. If they are able to reach the final four, it will be the 12th time they have advanced to the Semis, which will break the tournament’s all-time record.

The Fire will host the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Wednesday, July 20.

2016 US Open Cup Round 5: David Accam’s first half brace propels Chicago Fire past Columbus Crew

June 28, 2016 by Patrick Murphy

It’s a story that seems to be told nearly every year in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

When the Chicago Fire meets the Columbus Crew, put your money on The Men in Red. The Fire entered unbeaten in four matches against the Crew in Open Cup play (five if you count a 2008 qualifying match) and Tuesday night’s match at Toyota Park was no different.

Behind two first half goals from forward David Accam, Chicago dispatched of Columbus 2-1.

It didn’t take long for Accam to get on the board. The attacker, who had two goals and one assist in his previous three matches, was the benefactor of a quick counter by the Fire seven minutes in. Accam collected the ball outside the 18-yard box and cut back to his right foot before rifling a shot by Columbus goalkeeper Brad Stuver for the early 1-0 advantage. Accam nearly doubled his tally just three minutes later. Once again it was a counterattack by the Fire who found the speedy forward, but Accam’s strike this time went wide.

Crew SC had the team’s lone shot on goal in the first half after 15 minutes of play.

Midfielder Hector Jimenez used the space given to him to fire a shot that took a couple of deflections, ultimately hitting Columbus forward Ola Kamara last. The redirect ultimately rolled slowly to Chicago goalkeeper Matt Lampson.

Despite dominating in possession, the Crew struggled to create any real chances. The Fire punished Columbus just before the half hour mark, once again through Accam.

Columbus defender Waylon Francis gave right back Rodrigo Ramos far too much space out wide in the 29th minute. The Fire defender picked up his head and served a ball to the back post that found an open Accam for the redirect and a 2-0 lead.

Following halftime, Columbus head coach Gregg Berhalter attempted to change the match by bringing in midfielder Wil Trapp for Tony Tchani and winger Ethan Finlay for Kamara.

As Columbus continued to control the ball, Chicago looked to counter again and nearly found the net twice early in the second half. The first saw defender Chad Barson block a Kenny Igbonananike shot that may have crept into the far post. The second was on an Igbonananike cross that appeared destined to find Accam if not for the effort of defender Tyson Wahl inside the 18-yard box.

In the 56th, Columbus thought it scored through 19-year-old Cristian Martinez. After a Justin Meram shot deflected off a Fire defender, Martinez beat Lampson but was judged to be offside.
The Crew were handed a lifeline by referee Nima Saghafi in the 78th minute. Chicago defender Johan Kappelhof was judged to have his hand in an unnatural position when the ball struck it on a Finlay shot from the top of the penalty box.

Finlay, who scored from the penalty spot in the last round of the Open Cup, stepped up and converted to cut the deficit in half.

Despite pressure by Columbus, including bringing Stuver forward on a corner kick, the Fire held on for the remaining 11 minutes for the win. With the victory, Chicago will now face the winner of Orlando City SC and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, who play Wednesday night.

With the win, the Fire improve to 38-13-4 (3-1 PKs) all-time in Open Cup play, the most wins of any club in the Modern Era (1995-present). They move on to the Quarterfinals for the 13th time, which is the third most in the 103-year history of the tournament (Kutis SC – 17, FC Dallas – 14).

FULL MATCH REPLAY

2016 US Open Cup Round 4: Chicago Fire need PKs to eliminate NASL spring champ Indy Eleven

June 17, 2016 by Jeff Engelhardt

David Accam of the Chicago Fire celebrates his goal against Indy Eleven in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Chicago Fire

The Chicago Fire rallied late in extra time and narrowly edged Indy Eleven 4-3 in penalty kicks Wednesday at Toyota Park to advance to the Round of 16 in the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The NASL Spring Champions gave the Fire all they could handle, taking a 1-0 lead in the 105th minute and threatening to become only the third team in Open Cup history to eliminate the Fire in a game played in their home state.

Forward Justin Braun, who had accounted for Indy Eleven’s two best scoring chances on the night, put his team on the board when he received the ball at the top of the box and executed a textbook turn and shoot to beat a diving Matt Lampson to his left side.

Indy appeared on the verge of victory before Chicago Fire forward David Accam, who had been plagued by missed opportunities all evening, leveled the score in the 111th minute. The speedy Ghanaian took matters into his own hands with a run down the right side of the box. One shot fake sent two Indy defenders sliding out of position and a quick cut back inside was all the space he needed to finish his chance in the top corner.

The game entered penalty kicks where Indy Eleven once again took an early advantage courtesy of a Nicki Paterson goal and a miss by Fire forward Kennedy Igboananike. The teams both converted their second attempts but the Fire drew level after Nemanja Vukovic was denied by Lampson in the third round and Fire left back Brandon Vincent converted. The score was level at three when Accam struck once again to give Chicago the 4-3 victory in penalty kicks.

Leading up to extra time, it it was Chicago that missed opportunity after opportunity, keeping the window open for a dangerous Indy Eleven side to capitalize.

Paterson got the scoring chances started for Indy Eleven in the 14th minute with a lofted shot from about 20 yards out. Lampson, scrambling backwards, parried the ball up and away from the net.

Chicago started to turn up the heat in the 20th minute when midfielder Khaly Thiam just missed the far post. It was followed up two minutes later when Thiam found Accam on the break and Accam sent his point blank shot off the woodwork.

Thiam and Accam would continue to connect, with Thiam missing a header off an Accam free kick in the 29th minute and putting a shot on goal in the 38th and Accam forcing a save in the 39th.

But as the half closed down, Braun nearly opened the scoring with a shot from the left side of the box that barely missed the back post. He then found midfielder Dylan Mares on a break but it was broken up by Fire defender Jonathan Campbell.

Indy Eleven regained control in the second half as coach Tim Hankinson seemed to hit all the right buttons with his substitutions. After Braun forced another difficult save from Lampson, Hankinson brought in Souleymane Youla for Mares. The substitute forward had an immediate influence on the game, putting a shot off goal in the 71st minute but involved in threatening buildups throughout.

The Fire had some chances including from substitute Nick LaBrocca who missed an open net in the 84th minute, from midfielder Razvan Cocis who was robbed with a kick save by Indy Eleven goalkeeper Jon Busch and from Igboananike who missed a point-blank open net after Busch gave up a rebound in the six-yard box.

Unlike the Fire’s missed opportunities, Hankinson’s second substitute, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, made the most of his. The former Red Bull made a brilliant pass to Braun to assist on the goal in the 105th minute.

While it wasn’t the perfect performance, Fire coach Veljko Paunovic said it was a hard-fought win after a two-week layoff.

HIGHLIGHTS

2015 US Open Cup Semifinals: Philadelphia Union reach second straight title game as Sebastien Le Toux makes more history (video)

August 12, 2015 by Michael Berton

Sebastien Le Toux scores the game-winning goal for the Philadelphia Union against the Chicago Fire in the 2015 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Paul Rudderow/Philly Soccer Page

For the first time since 1964, a Philadelphia team will compete in back-to-back US Open Cup Final after the Philadelphia Union defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0.

Sebastien Le Toux added to his legendary Open Cup resume with his record 15th career tournament goal, and his fifth game-winner which ties Matthew Delicate’s Modern Era record.

“ has had a heck of a run in this competition,” Union coach Jim Curtin said. “I’m glad took the initiative and took the hit there.”

The hit came in the 74th minute. Cutting in from the right side, Le Toux dribbled along the top of the penalty box, took a hit with his left foot, and placed his shot in the bottom right corner of the net just past the fingers of Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

That goal came after numerous Union chances throughout the game. The home side outshot the Fire 11-3.

Curtin, who won two US Open Cup titles as a player with the Fire, said his team controlled the game but were only able to find the back of the net once.

“There are moments of nerves. But defensively we were very good. We like to make it tough.”

Philadelphia had good opportunities from the onset of the match. In the eighth minute, Cristian Maidana’s shot was saved by Johnson – one of several great chances for the Union in the half. Maidana also hit a post in the 24th minute, and Johnson made a point-blank save on Brian Carroll a few minutes later.

Chicago encountered some bad luck in the first half as well. Making his first appearance for the Fire, Gilberto had to exit the match with a thigh contusion, forcing Chicago to make its first substitution in the 21st minute.

The four-time Open Cup champions had their best chances come after the Union got the go-ahead goal. The most spectacular chance coming when Kennedy Igboananike’s bicycle kick had to be saved by Union keeper John McCarthy.

But Chicago could not find an equalizer, and the Union will be heading to their second championship game in a row. Last season, Philadelphia hosted the Seattle Sounders, falling 3-1 after extra time.

The Union will now host the 102nd edition of the US Open Cup Final at PPL Park on Sept. 30.

Curtin said, “ is everything. It’s why you play. It’s forever. The fans deserve it, and the club deserves it. We’re ready to take that next step.”

POSTGAME: SEBASTIEN LE TOUX, PHILADELPHIA UNION

POSTGAME: JIM CURTIN, PHILADELPHIA UNION

POSTGAME: PHILLY SOCCER PAGE ANALYSIS

FULL MATCH REPLAY: CHICAGO FIRE AT PHILADELPHIA UNION

2015 US Open Cup Quarterfinals review: Record crowds watch plenty of late drama in all-MLS round

July 26, 2015 by Josh Hakala

The Quarterfinals of the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was played in front of a record number of fans in the stands and for the first time in the Modern Era, every game was decided in the last five minutes of the match or later.

Through all four games of the round, the total announced attendance was 42,644, an average of 10,661, which is a record for the Quarterfinals in the Modern Era (1995-present). This shattered the previous record set in 1999 where they averaged 7,131 (28,524 total).

Here is the Semifinal schedule (the details on the Final will be announced before the Semifinals take place):

Aug. 12
Chicago Fire (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS) – 7:30 p.m. ET
Real Salt Lake (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS) – 8:30 p.m. ET

Here is a brief recap of each Quarterfinal game with links to the full match report:

All the headlines entering the game was about the possibility of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard making his competition debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy. However, by the end of the night the headlines were all about Aaron Maund of Real Salt Lake sending the home team to the Semifinals for the second time in three years with a late goal. FULL MATCH REPORT »

For the second game in a row, the Philadelphia Union were shown a first half red card and just like their game against DC United in the last round, they advanced shorthanded, this time against the New York Red Bulls. The Union scored a 55th minute goal by Eric Ayuk and it looked like they were going to win it in regulation but Lloyd Sam equalized deep into stoppage time. The match went to penalty kicks and John McCarthy’s spectactular save on Sam’s PK attempt was the difference as the Union advance to their second straight Semifinal.FULL MATCH REPORT »

Just like the Red Bulls-Union match earlier in the day, the Houston Dynamo received a first half red card and took a 1-0 lead early in the second half. However, Sporting Kansas City scored three straight goals, two of them in the final five minutes to put KC into the Semifinals for the first time since their championship year in 2012.FULL MATCH REPORT »

The Chicago Fire defense came to play as they shut down the Orlando City offense but needed a pair of goals by Kennedy Igboananike in the final four minutes to get them into a record-tying 11th Open Cup Semifinal. The Fire were victorious 3-1 at Toyota Park as they reach the Semifinals for the third year in a row. They are now two wins away from a record-tying fifth Open Cup title.FULL MATCH REPORT »

2015 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Late goals help Chicago Fire tame Orlando City, reach record-tying 11th Semifinal (video)

July 23, 2015 by Jeff Engelhardt

It was a game of explosive chances as the Chicago Fire erupted for three goals with each score starting out of their defensive zone before finding Patrick Nyarko, David Accam and Kennedy Igboananike that ultimately left Orlando City with a 3-1 defeat.

The Men in Red got off to a blistering start when goalkeeper Jon Busch punted a ball from his own box that found an opportunistic Nyarko ready to split the central defense. As Busch’s pass bounced toward the Orlando City box, Nyarko slipped in and on his first touch shot the ball to the lower left post to beat a diving Tally Hall, giving the Fire an early 1-0 lead. For Busch, he joined a short list of goalkeepers who have been credited with assists. In the Modern Era, according to TheCup.us records, Busch is just the ninth goalkeeper to directly contribute to a goal.

The remainder of the first half would belong to the Fire as Orlando City, featuring former FIFA World Player of the Year Kaka, failed to get a single shot on goal and only attempted two shots total in the opening frame. Chicago was bolstered by the return of Shaun Maloney, who found Harry Shipp early for a few modest chances the led to shots off the post.

The attack continued to build with left back Joevin Jones, who returned from international duty with Trinidad & Tobago. He had one interception in the first half that resulted him dribbling all the way upfield before being fouled right outside the Orlando City box. The ensuing free kick was taken by Maloney who put his shot on goal but was answered by Hall who deflected it over the bar.

Orlando City’s only chances in the opening half came on corner kicks. All four of their attempts from the corner were caught by Busch or punched out by the veteran keeper with no real dangerous moments.

The Lions came out with more fight in the second half, controlling the flow of the game for the first 15 minutes. Orlando City took advantage of its only shot on goal in the 56th minute when Eric Avila worked up the right flank and sent in a pinpoint cross to Cyle Larin who headed home the equalizer with no real pressure from the defense.

The game took a feel of deja vu after the Larin equalizer, as he was also responsible for the equalizer in Toyota Park in a June MLS match that eventually ended with Orlando City taking a 3-2 victory. But a repeat of that performance was not in the cards.

After the Orlando City goal, Chicago regained control and dictated the flow of the game the rest of the way. Frank Yallop brought on speedsters David Accam in the 59th minute and Kennedy Igboananike in the 66th minute, turning the game completely in favor of the home team.

Accam took no time making his presence felt, forcing a diving save from Hall in the 63rd minute that led to a rebound effort from Jason Johnson just missing the frame.

But like the first goal, Chicago would use its speed to open Orlando City for the lead. Defensive midfielder Matt Watson sent a pass from the Fire’s zone to Accam who raced up the left side in a one-on-one situation. Accam took a shot that deflected off the near post, falling to the feet of an unmarked Igboananike in the middle of the box who easily put the chance away.

“David has world-class speed,” Yallop said of Accam’s game changing performance. “The whole team was excellent tonight.”

Though Orlando City looked to press after the Accam goal, Chicago’s defense would spring another counter attack. Joevin Jones played a long pass toward Igboananike in the 91st minute and the Nigerian made no mistake as he blazed passed the lone defender and danced around a diving Hall to shoot across his body and bury the 3-1 security goal.

The impressive spell of possession and tight defense led the Fire to 18 shots, six of which were on goal compared to Orlando’s five shots with only the Larin header hitting the frame.

“When we have our guys on the field we are pretty good,” Yallop said of finally seeing injured stars such as Maloney and Accam take the field. “I thought we thoroughly deserved to win the game.”

The victory added to the Chicago Fire’s lengthy Open Cup resume. The club’s 37 tournament wins remain a Modern Era record and with a fifth straight win at Toyota Park, the Fire improve to 23-1-1 (0-1 PKs) at home.

Chicago also made history tonight by reaching the Semifinals for the 11th time, tying an all-time record held by Kutis Soccer Club of St. Louis. Kutis, a two-time champion (1957, 1986), made their 11 Semifinal appearances over four decades from 1953 to 1986.

Conversely, Orlando City failed to make it to the Semifinals on its second attempt, once again falling to Chicago in the Quarterfinals after suffering the same fate in 2013 when they were a USL PRO team. Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath said unlike the 2013 performance when the Lions were coming in as a third-division underdog, there was no excuse for the toothless performance.

Calling the performance sloppy and embarrassing, the England native said the club failed to seize an opportunity for a major trophy.

“We were second best on every decision,” Heath said. “We played slow. We played sloppy.”

The Chicago Fire will now advance to the final four for the third year in a row. They are just the sixth MLS team to achieve that feat and the only club in tournament history to do it twice. (The Fire reached four straight from 2003-06), and the 18th team in tournament history. The Fire will travel to Philadelphia on Aug. 12 to take on last year’s runner-up, the Union, as Chicago’s quest for a record-tying fifth title continues.

HIGHLIGHTS: ORLANDO CITY SC AT CHICAGO FIRE
POSTGAME: FRANK YALLOP, CHICAGO FIRE

POSTGAME: KENNEDY IGBOANANIKE, CHICAGO FIRE

FULL MATCH REPLAY: ORLANDO CITY SC AT CHICAGO FIRE

2015 US Open Cup Round 5: Mike Magee returns to spark Chicago Fire to end Charlotte Independence’s cup debut, 3-1 (video)

June 30, 2015 by Jeff Engelhardt

Mike Magee of the Chicago Fire celebrates one of his two goals against the Charlotte Independence. Photo: Chicago Fire

Charlotte Independence’s bid for a second-straight upset against an MLS team was short lived as the Chicago Fire erased an early deficit Tuesday to secure a 3-1 Fifth Round U.S. Open Cup victory at Toyota Park.

The Fire were led by Lovel Palmer and Mike Magee who combined for all three goals and an assist after Chicago fell behind 1-0 in the fifth minute.

In his first start of the season, Magee leveled the score in the 37th minute after a give-and-go between Palmer and Kennedy Igboananike that resulted in Palmer sending in a low cross from the right flank. Magee, making a diagonal run, stepped inside his defender and flicked the shot past Charlotte goalkeeper Richard Gilstrap.

Palmer scored the game-winning goal in the 50th minute.

After a lengthy spell of pressure from the Fire, Charlotte attempted to clear a corner kick out of the box. Palmer, lurking about 10 yards away from the top of the box, had the ball fall to his feet. He blasted a stunning strike to beat a diving Gilstrap from distance.

The Fire’s third goal of the evening brought the crowd to its feet as it was a direct result of the returning Patrick Nyamko’s first touch of the season. Having subbed on in the 77th minute, Nyarko received a pass from Magee on the right flank. Handling his first touch of the season, Nyarko danced around his defender into the box, fed Magee the ball back and Magee scored his second goal of the evening to secure the victory.

Fire coach Frank Yallop said the sequence was the highlight of the night and it was great to see two of his most dangerous offensive weapons shake off the rust quickly.

“It has been a long way back for them,” Yallop said. “You miss guys and then you see them on the field and you realize how good they are. It’s not in training it’s actually playing the proper game. Very happy for both guys.”

Charlotte did not let the Fire into the quarterfinals without a scare. Playing on the road against an MLS team for only their second time in club history, Charlotte showed no fear early on and caught the Fire flat footed with an early goal.

As the Fire backline looked to advance the ball past midfield, Charlotte forced a turnover and pounced on the opportunity when midfielder Alex Martinez found striker Tomasz Zahorski with a perfectly timed through ball that beat the Fire’s pressuring back line. Zahorski finished his breakaway with a composed shot past a diving Sean Johnson.

The Fire progressively applied pressure as the half went on. Gilstrap came up with two consecutive difficult saves starting with a chance from the top of the box by Joevin Jones at the 19-minute mark. After that diving save, Gilstrap came up big again in the 22nd minute after Magee tried a chip shot over the keeper. Though he was off his line, Gilstrap leaped backwards and punched the ball over the crossbar.

Charlotte almost caught the Fire again immediately after Magee’s goal as Zahorski received a pass deep in the box but was turned away by Johnson who came up with the shin save.

While the last remaining USL side struggled more in the second half, substitute Ryan Finley forced two athletic saves from Sean Johnson. In the 62nd minute, Finley received the ball all alone in the center of the box after a great dummy and forced a point blank save from Johnson. Finley challenged Johnson again in the 87th minute with a diving save to the left for the Fire keeper’s fourth save of the match.

The win moved the Fire to 36-12-3 all-time in the U.S. Open Cup, which is the most wins of any team in the Modern Era.

Magee said he hoped the result could springboard a strong second half in league play where the team has dropped four straight and confidence in the quarterfinals where they will host Orlando City.

“There was definitely something a little different in the group tonight,” Magee said. “We’re ready to fight for each other.”

FULL MATCH REPLAY: CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE AT CHICAGO FIRE

2015 US Open Cup Round 4: Quincy Amarikwa rescues Chicago Fire in OT win over Louisville City (video)

June 17, 2015 by Jeff Engelhardt

Quincy Amarikwa scored the game-winning goal in the 116th minute. Photo: Chicago Fire

UPDATE: The Round of 16 draw was conducted by the US Soccer Federation and it was determined that the Chicago Fire will host the Charlotte Independence (USL) in the next round.

A Quincy Amarikwa header in the 116th minute gave the Chicago Fire a 1-0 victory after a strong challenge from Louisville City FC in its first-ever game against an MLS side.

The Fire, who are now 25-1-1 in Open Cup games in Illinois, looked in danger of dropping only their second tournament game in Illinois as they couldn’t crack a difficult and stingy Louisville City FC side until late in extra time at Toyota Park. The deciding goal came after second-half substitute Guly do Prado fired a shot toward the top right corner of the goal. Amarikwa saw the shot and quickly threw his head in front for a bang-bang deflection goal.

Amarikwa had missed roughly three quality chances in the second half and struggled to find the frame in the first as well. Despite his struggles, the forward kept his work rate up and said after the game it was that kind of effort from all his teammates that led to winning the hard fought match.

“That’s what happens in these Open Cup games,” said Amarikwa who now has four career US Open Cup goals. “They’re scrappy, the other team is looking for something to prove and it makes it hard to break down. We knew that all we had to do was keep going.”

The Fire threatened a few times in the second half after a more evenly matched first half. Dynamic midfielder Harry Shipp set up a pair of chances within five minutes as roughly 15 minutes remained in the second half. One service to Amarikwa was shot wide on an attempt from the top of the box while another ball to Prado could not be headed on target.

Chicago had a flurry of corner kick opportunities in the second half, but the consistent presence near the final third opened up a couple counter attack opportunities for Louisville. The USL side looked primed to score in the 85th minute.

Former Fire striker and MLS veteran Matt Fondy found Naill McCabe streaking down the left side. McCabe, who was alone entering the box and sizing up Sean Johnson, was unexpectedly cut off by Adailton who tackled the ball away at the last second.

That attempt followed a lesser threat in the 73rd minute from Charlie Adams who sent a shot over the crossbar.

Fire coach Frank Yallop said while it was not the prettiest of performances, it was an important win to gain confidence in the team’s aspirations of winning a record-tying fifth Open Cup title and turning around their fortunes in league play where they have lost three straight.

“It wasn’t pretty … but what I will say is we kept going, we won the game and we’re into the next round. We kept fighting. We kept pushing,” Yallop said.

Louisville City FC gave the Fire all they could handle in the first half, limiting dangerous chances and coming up with one of their own.

The best chance of the game came in the 22nd minute when a failed clearance in the box fell to Louisville’s Magnus Rasmussen near the top of the 18-yard box. Rasmussen connected, but the shot deflected off the crossbar, missing by inches.

The Fire had the better of the possession and consistently attacked the right side of the Louisville defense. Fire left back Greg Cochrane and midfielder Michael Stephens were looked to often, but the best chance for the Fire came in the 31st minute when Jason Johnson forced a turnover at the top of Louisville’s box. The ball deflected to Amarikwa who was all alone in the center of the box, but he sent his rushed shot just wide on an onrushing Scott Goodwin.

The Fire had one last surge in the 43rd minute when a Greg Cochrane cross was grazed by a diving header effort from Johnson. Louisville cleared the ball to the top of the box where Matt Watson had a clean shot that went wide of the net.

Louisville’s Fondy forced a diving save from Sean Johnson in the 11th minute for the Fire keeper’s only save of the half.

FULL MATCH REPLAY: LOUISVILLE CITY AT CHICAGO FIRE

2014 US Open Cup Semifinals: Seattle Sounders dominate Chicago Fire, reach 5th Final in 6 years

August 13, 2014 by Nick Schiffler

The Seattle Sounders FC celebrate after midfielder Andy Rose (5) scored a goal against the Chicago Fire during the second half at Starfire Soccer Stadium. Seattle defeated Chicago 6-0. Photo: Steven Bisig | USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Sounders are on their way to their fifth U.S. Open Cup Final in the last six years – and they couldn’t have gotten there in a more emphatic fashion.

Led by two goals each from Kenny Cooper and Andy Rose, the Sounders dismantled the visiting Chicago Fire 6-0 in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup at Starfire Sports Complex. Seattle will travel to play the Philadelphia Union in the final of the tournament on September 16.

Chad Barrett opened the scoring in the first half, and Obafemi Martins came off the bench in the second half in his U.S. Open Cup debut to add another insurance tally for the Sounders.

“When it rains it pours,” said Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid. “We did well finishing tonight, the early goal got us off to a really good start. Bringing in some guys with fresh legs, Cooper, Barrett, Andy Rose getting back into the mix, really helped us at the end of the day. made us a little quicker, a little sharper, which is what we wanted to achieve.”

Seattle Sounders FC forward Chad Barrett (19) slide tackles Chicago Fire midfielder Matt Watson (22) during the first half at Starfire Soccer Stadium. Photo: Steven Bisig | USA TODAY Sports

Both teams started without their top goal-scorers on the pitch. Chicago was missing Mike Magee due to a red card he picked up in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal victory at Atlanta, while Martins was on the bench for Seattle and Clint Dempsey was not even in uniform.

But Seattle proved to be just fine with their reserve strikers starting, and it was Barrett who got the Sounders on the board just six minutes into the match. Cooper received the ball from Rose on the right hand side and created space with a sharp cut-back before rolling a cross into the penalty area. The ball eluded three Fire defenders on its way to Barrett, and the one-time Chicago player smashed a shot into the net past a helpless Sean Johnson.

Seattle’s first goal brought about Chicago’s best spell of the evening. The Fire created several opportunities over the next ten minutes, largely through Quincy Amarikwa’s harassing runs.

Chicago’s best chance to equalize came in the 22nd minute after an Osvaldo Alonso foul on the edge of the penalty area. Chicago worked a tricky set-play to give Jeff Larentowicz a clear shot at goal, but Seattle keeper Stefan Frei was just able to block Larentowicz’s blast before Seattle’s defense scrambled clear.

However, Fire head coach Frank Yallop did not think that his team converting on one of their early chances would have altered the way the game unfolded.

“You can’t play the game and concede six goals in the match,” Yallop said. “Whether we scored or not, I don’t think it would have changed anything.”

Seattle stifled Chicago’s growing momentum with their second goal in the 33rd minute. After a blasted shot by Alonso forced a corner for Seattle, Marco Pappa’s corner kick found Rose at the back post and the Englishman headed it down and into the corner of the net.

The Sounders took that 2-0 lead into the locker room, and only took 13 minutes to add to it in the second half. Again, it was Pappa finding Rose.

Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Marco Pappa (10) dribbles the ball while being defended by Chicago Fire midfielder Lovel Palmer (5) during the first half at Starfire Soccer Stadium. Photo: Steven Bisig | USA TODAY Sports

This time, Pappa dribbled into the corner, then spun around to set up his preferred left foot. His cross again found Rose open at the back post, and Rose again headed the ball past Johnson and into the net to put the game out of reach. It marked his second goal of the game in just his second start of the season.

“He’s been held back a little bit with injuries,” Schmid said. “ can give you something, because when he can come forward he’s dangerous on set pieces. It was his ball into Cooper that set up that first goal. Andy can play very simple and sees things like that.”

Soon after, Yallop substituted on Matthew Fondy for Chicago, adding a second striker onto the field in an effort to produce some sort of attacking spark.

For their part, the Sounders brought on designated player Obafemi Martins as a substitute in the 74th minute, and it only took him five minutes to get on the board. Martins ran onto a flicked pass from Cooper and simply ran at the tired Chicago defense until space opened up, which the Nigerian took to slot home the fourth goal of the night.

After that, Chicago’s spirit visibly was broken, and the Sounders showed no mercy. Cooper capitalized by scoring Seattle’s fifth and sixth goals in a span of three minutes.

First, Cooper, left completely unmarked in the box, headed in a pinpoint cross from DeAndre Yedlin in the 82nd minute. About 75 seconds later, Martins slid a pass through for an onrushing Cooper to slot home for his second goal, sending the capacity Starfire crowd into delirium.

“I think our guys thrive on the closeness of the crowd,” Schmid said. “It helps spur them on to good performances.”

Seattle’s performance might have been the best of their 2014 season, and it left them one victory away from their MLS record-tying fourth U.S. Open Cup title.

HIGHLIGHTS

FULL MATCH REPLAY

2014 US Open Cup Round 5: Chicago Fire need extra time to keep perfect record vs. rival Columbus Crew (video)

June 26, 2014 by Jeff Engelhardt

With two goals in extra time the Chicago Fire improve to 4-0-0 all-time against the Columbus Crew in US Open Cup play. Photo: Chicago Fire

For the second time in as many years the Chicago Fire ended the Columbus Crew’s US Open Cup campaign, this time led by a brace from Juan Luis Anangono during a 4-2 victory in extra time.

Substitutes played a key role for both sides, accounting for three of the six goals scored over the 120 minutes of play.

“The fighting spirit of the guys to come back and go on and win the match is great,” Fire coach Frank Yallop said. “I was pleased with the subs that came on. They did a nice job. I think the whole team responded when we did that.”

In an uneventful first half, the Fire found themselves enjoying one-way traffic though they were only able to challenge Columbus goalkeeper Steve Clark on rare occasion. Clark was first called into action at the 14-minute mark when Grant Ward sent a cross in from the right side of the box to Quincy Amarikwa who put a solid header on the pass. Clark extinguished the shot.

It was 20 minutes later when the Fire got on the scoreboard. Standing only a few yards in front of the center line, Harry Shipp took a deep free kick and sent in a precision pass to an unmarked Patrick Ianni who streaked down the middle of the box and beat Clark with a sliding shot on goal.

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The Crew enjoyed slightly more possession in the last five minutes of the first half with their best chance coming on a free kick from about 20 yards out. After Matt Watson was called for a penalty right at the top of the center of the box, Justin Meram lined up to take a free kick but was unable to put the shot on frame as Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson watched the attempt sail over his head.

Chicago outshout Columbus 10-2 in the first half, putting five on frame compared to the Crew’s zero.

The second half was a different story for the Crew who found a spark offensively when Jairo Arrieta came in for Meram to start the half.

Right from his introduction, Arrieta helped create the Crew’s best chance to that point when he was wide open to the left of Johnson. Arrieta missed the wide open goal on his first opportunity but soon redeemed himself about 10 minutes later, converting a much more difficult chance.

On a long free kick, Ben Speas sent a ball to the left side of the box that was chased down and chipped to the middle by Ben Sweat. Arrieta, lurking in the middle of the box, attempted a bicycle kick and made no mistake, finding the back of the net to even the score.

The Crew continued its pressure throughout the half and find the back of the net at the 69th minute when a deflected cross fell to Bernador Anor at the top of the box. Anor fired a shot past Johnson to give Columbus a 2-1 lead.

Both teams opted for substitutions in the 71st minute with Columbus bringing on Michael Parkhurst and Will Trapp for Hector Jimenez and Tony Tchani, respectively, while the Fire brought Alex on for Logan Pause to push for a late goal. It was the 77th minute substitution of Anangono for Mike Magee that proved to be the difference.

With only seven minutes of regular time remaining, Matt Watson made a run down the right sideline, cut inside the box and found an unmarked Anangono who fired a shot past Clark to even the score at 2-2.

The late momentum for the Fire continued in part because of a reckless challenge by Parkhurst on Amarikwa in the 97th minute that drew a red card without any protest.

It was just the beginning for the Ecuadorian striker who played a pivotal role both of Chicago’s goals in extra time. Only two minutes into the extra period, Greg Cochrane crossed a ball into the box and found Anangono who hit a header to Shipp, then hit the ball to Amarikwa who finished the sequence with a header of his own to give the Fire a 3-2 lead.

Anangono got into the action again only three minutes into the second set of extra time. Alex, making a run up the left side, found a streaking Anangono unmarked in the center which led to the team’s final goal.

“He is a terrific professional,” Yallop said of Anangono. “He tries very hard for the team. I am very, very happy for him.”

Chicago will visit the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks on July 9 in a Quarterfinal matchup. Atlanta will be undermanned after three players were shown red cards in the game against Colorado on Tuesday.

Jeff Engelhardt is a contributor to the Chicago soccer site Hot Time In Old Town. You can follow him on Twitter @JWEngelhardt.

HIGHLIGHTS: COLUMBUS CREW AT CHICAGO FIRE

FULL MATCH REPLAY: COLUMBUS CREW AT CHICAGO FIRE

POST-GAME: QUINCY AMARIKWA

POST-GAME: FRANK YALLOP

POST-GAME: JUAN LUIS ANANGONO