Throughout the Chicago Fire’s 19 years competing in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, they’ve come across one opponent more than any other, and they’re now just a few days away from adding another chapter to that notable series history.
The Fire and Columbus Crew SC have met on five previous occasions in U.S. Open Cup play -- other than Columbus, only the LA Galaxy have had as many as four Open Cup run-ins with Chicago -- and the Midwest rivals will make it six on Tuesday (June 28). Gregg Berhalter’s side will visit Toyota Park (7:30 p.m. CT; TICKETS | PUB TO PITCH) for a Round of 16 matchup, hoping to put to rest Chicago’s unblemished Open Cup record against the Black & Gold.
Take a look below for a quick refresher on how the clubs' previous five Open Cup meetings have played out, and be sure to click the links below for box scores and highlights.
October 30, 1998 • U.S. Open Cup Final
Chicago Fire 2:1 Columbus Crew SC (asdet)
With a place in club lore already assured, the inaugural edition of the Men In Red added to an incredible legacy by outlasting Columbus in the championship match of the 1998 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Just five days after dethroning D.C. United in the MLS Cup final, the Fire returned to Soldier Field to battle a Columbus side that had finished second in MLS’ Eastern Conference table. After a Jerzy Podbrozny PK for Chicago was canceled out by Stern John’s second-half strike, Frank Klopas ended the match in extra time when he buried his shot from point-blank range and clinched the coveted "Double" for the Fire.
July 20, 2004 • U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round (Round of 16)
Chicago Fire 2:1 Columbus Crew (asdet)
The two sides would not meet again in Open Cup competition until 2004, with Chicago attempting to defend its latest Open Cup crown claimed one year earlier. Much like that iconic match six years prior, a Fire penalty kick goal helped send the game to extra time, where Damani Ralph netted his second of the night to give Chicago a win in the only Fire-Crew Open Cup match to be played at Columbus Crew (now MAPFRE) Stadium.
June 10, 2008 • U.S. Open Cup Qualifying
Chicago Fire 2:1 Columbus Crew (asdet)
Keeping consistent with the theme, Chicago and Columbus needed extra time to decide this qualifying round contest played in Peoria, Ill. On this occasion, it was Costa Rican forward Andy Herron playing the role of hero, scoring twice -- two of his eight career Open Cup goals for the Fire -- including the decisive 116th-minute penalty kick. The two sides would memorably meet in knockout competition again that season, with Columbus defeating Chicago in the Eastern Conference final en route to winning the club’s first MLS Cup trophy.
June 13, 2013 • U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round (Round of 16)
Chicago Fire 2:1 Columbus Crew
With severe weather wreaking havoc in Chicago, the 2013 meeting was postponed 18 hours to a midweek noon start time. Once the action got underway at Toyota Park, the Fire bounced back from an early Columbus goal thanks to strikes by Mike Magee and Patrick Nyarko. The 2013 tournament began Chicago’s active run of three consecutive appearances in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.
June 25, 2014 • U.S. Open Cup Round of 16
Chicago Fire 4:2 Columbus Crew
The only game in the series not to finish on a 2-1 scoreline, Chicago and Columbus still needed extra time after standing level at two through 90 minutes. But a goal shortly after the start of extra time by Quincy Amarikwa and a late insurance goal by Juan Luis Anangono sent Chicago through to the quarterfinals and maintained their perfect Open Cup mark against Columbus.
