Chicago Fire defeated New England Revolution 3-1 and reached the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the 16th time in club history. On the road at Chapey Field in Providence, Rhode Island, the team was clinical, chose their moments, and got the resounding win. Their next opponent will be decided in a draw this Thursday, which will also chart the course to the final.
The result not only puts Fire among the final eight of the tournament but also ends the Revolution's seven-match unbeaten streak, both in MLS and Open Cup matches.
Early pressure and patience in the final third
The Revolution closed the midfield in the first half-hour and employed counterattacks. Fire moved the ball around but were not able to penetrate. They still had possession but did not risk it. The first real chance came in the 38th minute, when a quick-passing combination broke the other defense.
The game started when Jonathan Bamba played across to Kellyn Acosta in the center of the field. The midfielder passed it to Andrew Gutman on the left, who played across to Bamba inside the box. A defender deflected the ball and tricked the keeper, and Chicago scored first.
Second-half efficiency
The second half picked up where the first left off, with the Revolution trying to clog the midfield and start fast breaks. Chicago did not let up and used Brian Gutiérrez, who entered the field and changed the tempo. The midfielder created even more fluidity in the offense and played a direct role in the second goal.
In a repeat of the first, almost word-for-word, Gutiérrez played Bamba down the left. The cross struck a defender and rebounded off the crossbar. Cuypers, anticipating, saw fit to slot the rebound and double the lead. The goal was important not only on the scoreline but also in the mind. The Revolution was cut up by it and started to leave each other open.
Zinckernagel seals the deal
Maren Haile-Selassie fed Zinckernagel into the scoring zone in the 79th minute. The midfielder drifted freely, beat his marker, and slammed a right-footed strike. Keeper Alex Bono wasn't going to be a stumbling block. It was Chicago's third and sure victor, and their ticket to quarterfinals.
New England rescued a late goal after a Fire own goal in the 89th minute but it came too late. The lead was comfortable, and the opponent was not even able to exert any real pressure. The final whistle was blown with the score 3-1 and the evident sense of a deserved outcome.