CHICAGO (April 7, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC will kick off its 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign against the winner of the match between Forward Madison and Chicago House at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, April 26 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. Broadcast information will be announced at a later date.
Season Ticket Members will be available to purchase tickets in a presale beginning at 10 a.m. CT on Monday, April 10 at the Members Headquarters Page. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday, April 12 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by clicking here.
USL League One side Forward Madison will host Midwest Premier League team Chicago House AC at 6 p.m. CT at Breese Stevens Field in Madison, Wis. It will be the first-ever meeting between the Chicago Fire and either Forward Madison or Chicago House. It will be Forward Madison’s third U.S. Open Cup since beginning play in 2019. Chicago House was launched in 2020 as part of the National Independent Soccer Association but currently plays in the MWPL.
The Fire have won four U.S. Open Cup trophies in Club history, winning the 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006 editions of the tournament. Chicago’s four titles are tied with Seattle Sounders FC and Sporting KC for the most championships won by an MLS team, and the second-most in the history of the tournament. Additionally, the Fire have appeared in the semifinals on 13 occasions, including six times in an eight-year period (2011-2018), tallying a 45-16-7 all-time record in the annual competition.
Chicago returned to U.S. Open Cup play in the third round of the 2022 competition against Union Omaha, marking the return of the tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Against Union Omaha, the Fire played to a 2-2 draw following regulation time and two overtime periods, eventually bowing out after losing 5-4 in the ensuing penalty shootout.
A knockout style competition, the Open Cup is the second-oldest continually operating soccer tournament in the world. This year’s champion will automatically secure a berth in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League. For more information on the U.S. Open Cup, click here.
