COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 6, 2018) – The Chicago Fire advanced to the fifth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a penalty kick shootout win over Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday evening at MAPFRE Stadium. After the two sides ended regulation 1-1 and deadlocked 2-2 after the 30-minute extra time period, the Fire emerged victorious after converting ten of their penalty kicks to the host’s nine.
Columbus got on the board first in the 10th minute after Cristian Martinez broke into the 18-yard box and snuck his shot under Richard Sánchez for the opening goal of the night.
The Fire equalized just before halftime when Daniel Johnson received the ball and played it out to Rafael Ramos on the right flank. Ramos took a touch and sent a low ball into the box, which Nemanja Nikolić redirected into goal to pull the Fire level in the 45th minute.
With neither team able to find a winner in regulation, the two sides headed into the requisite 30-minute extra time.
The Fire pulled ahead in the 109th minute when defender Jorge Corrales intercepted a Crew SC pass and raced down the right flank, finding Aleksandar Katai. With a deft chip, Katai found Nikolić at the top of the six-yard box for a right-footed volley to give the Fire the lead.
Adam Jahn equalized in the 114th minute for Crew SC to force penalty kicks.
In the ensuing shootout, the Fire converted 10 of their 11 attempts and Sánchez saved two penalties to help the Fire advance.
The draw for fifth round matchups and venues will be hosted by U.S. Soccer on Thursday, June 7 at 10 a.m. CT. The draw will be available via live webstream at ussoccer.com.
The Men in Red return to MLS action when they host the New England Revolution at Toyota Park for Pride Night on Saturday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. CT (ESPN+/Univision Deportes Chicago 1200AM). Coverage begins at 7:15 p.m. CT with a live pregame show on ESPN+ presented by CIBC.
Tickets for Saturday’s match are available by calling 888-MLS-FIRE or visiting www.chicago-fire.com/tickets.
Chicago Fire 2(10):2(9)Columbus Crew SC
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Fourth Round
June 6, 2018 – MAPFRE Stadium
Attendance: 4,992
Scoring Summary:
CLB – Cristian Martinez (Niko Hansen) 10’
CHI – Nemanja Nikolić (Rafael Ramos, Daniel Johnson) 45’
CHI – Nemanja Nikolić (Jorge Corrales) 109’
CLB – Adam Jahn (Cristian Martinez, Luis Argudo) 114’
Penalty Kicks:
CHI - Nemanja Nikolić - Missed
CLB - Milton Valenzuela - Scored
CHI - Aleksandar Katai - Scored
CLB - Héctor Jiménez - Saved
CHI - Dax McCarty - Scored
CLB - Luis Argudo - Scored
CHI - Diego Campos - Scored
CLB - Lalas Abubakar - Scored
CHI - Bastian Schweinsteiger - Scored
CLB - Adam Jahn - Scored
CHI - Brandt Bronico - Scored
CLB - Cristian MartÃnez - Scored
CHI - Grant Lillard - Scored
CLB - Alex Crognale - Scored
CHI - Jorge Corrales - Scored
CLB - Eduardo Sosa - Scored
CHI - Rafael Ramos - Scored
CLB - Mohammed Abu - Scored
CHI - Jonathan Campbell - Scored
CLB - Edward Opoku - Scored
CHI - Richard Sánchez - Scored
CLB - Logan Ketterer - Saved
Misconduct Summary:
CLB – Eduardo Sosa (caution) 64’
CLB – Mohammed Abu (caution) 71’
CHI – Rafael Ramos (caution) 81’
CHI – Dax McCarty (caution) 90+2’
CLB – Alex Crognale (caution) 107’
CHI – Aleksandar Katai (caution) 112’
Chicago Fire: Richard Sánchez; Rafael Ramos, Jonathan Campbell, Grant Lillard, Jorge Corrales; Brandt Bronico, Tony Tchani (Bastian Schweinsteiger 64’), Luis Solignac (Dax McCarty 64’), Daniel Johnson (Aleksandar Katai 79’), Diego Campos; Nemanja Nikolić ©
Subs not used: Stefan Cleveland, Johan Kappelhof, Brandon Vincent, Alan Gordon
Shots: 14; Shots On-Goal: 5; Fouls: 14; Saves: 1; Offsides: 2; Corners: 12.
Columbus Crew SC: Logan Ketterer; Connor Maloney (Milton Valenzuela 93’), Alex Crognale, Gaston Sauro (Lalas Abubakar 78’), Hector Jimenez ©, Mohammed Abu, Luis Argudo, Niko Hansen (Edward Opoku 65’), Eduardo Sosa, Cristian Martinez, Adam Jahn
Subs not used: Jon Kempin, Ricardo Clark, Federico Higuain, Gyasi Zardes
Shots: 13; Shots On-Goal: 3; Fouls: 10; Saves: 3; Offsides: 0; Corners: 7.
