Chicago Fire FC II to Face Forward Madison in Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

March 22, 2024 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Chicago Fire FC II News Release

CHICAGO - U.S. Soccer and Chicago Fire FC today announced that Chicago Fire FC II will face USL League One side Forward Madison in the second round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at SeatGeek Stadium.

Admission and parking for the match between Chicago Fire FC II and Forward Madison will be free of cost for all fans, and tickets will be provided to attendees upon entrance at SeatGeek Stadium.

Chicago advanced to the Second Round of the historic tournament with a convincing 6-0 win against Chicago City SC on Wednesday, March 20, in the first round. Defender Giovanni Granda and midfielder Vitaliy Hlyut each made their professional debut and scored their first professional goal against Chicago City SC, with Hlyut becoming one of the youngest goal scorers in Open Cup history. The Fire also saw goals from midfielders David Poreba, Michael Nesci and Harold Osorio to seal advancement to the second round of the tournament.

Five current Chicago Fire Academy players featured for Chicago Fire II against City: Granda, Hlyut, Nesci, Dylan Borso and Patrick Los. Additionally, Homegrown player Javier Casas Jr. played the first 45 minutes and former Academy product Poreba played the full 90. Along with Casas Jr., first-team players Spencer Richey and Wyatt Omsberg also registered 45 minutes in the match.

Chicago Fire FC II began play in 2022 and serves as a bridge between the Chicago Fire Academy and the First Team. Led by Head Coach Ludovic Taillandier and assistant coach, former Fire forward Patrick Nyarko, Chicago Fire FC II provides a platform for the Fire's rising talent to compete at the professional level.

The Chicago Fire has a rich history of success in the U.S. Open Cup. The Fire's four U.S. Open Cup championships (1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006) remains tied for the most Open Cup titles by an MLS team. Additionally, the Fire holds the record for the most wins and semifinal appearances by an MLS team in the annual competition.

MLS NEXT Pro Stories from March 22, 2024

• Preview: Chattanooga FC Looks to Build on Thrilling MLS NEXT Pro Opener - Chattanooga FC
• Huntsville City FC Earns 1-1 Draw in Home Opener against Orlando City B - Huntsville City Football Club
• Huntsville City Football Club Earns 1-1 Draw in Home Opener Against Orlando City B - Huntsville City Football Club
• Orlando City B Draws 1-1 with Huntsville City FC - Orlando City B
• Sporting KC II Signs Jacob Molinaro to MLS NEXT Pro Amateur Contract - Sporting Kansas City II
• Chicago Fire FC II to Face Forward Madison in Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Chicago Fire FC II
• Atlanta United 2 Announces Date Changes for Matches against Crown Legacy FC and Philadelphia Union II - Atlanta United 2
• Philadelphia Union II Announce Schedule Change - Philadelphia Union II
• Ventura County FC to Play Host to Irvine Zeta FC in Second Round of 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, April 3 - Ventura County FC
• Colorado Rapids 2 to Host Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in Second Round of U.S. Open Cup - Colorado Rapids 2
• New York Red Bulls II Scheduled to Face New York City FC II in Second Round of 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - New York Red Bulls II
• New York City FC II to Face New York Red Bulls II in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - New York City FC II
• MNUFC2 to Host Michigan Stars FC in Second Round of U.S. Open Cup - Minnesota United FC 2
• Houston Dynamo FC Travel to Colorado and Dynamo 2 Face LAFC2 on the Road - Houston Dynamo 2
• Chicago Fire FC II Signs Defender Jean Alpha Diouf - Chicago Fire FC II
• Sporting KC II Returns to Rock Chalk Park to Take on Ventura County FC on Sunday - Sporting Kansas City II
• Chicago Fire FC II Signs Defender Juan Miguel Calle - Chicago Fire FC II
• FC Cincinnati 2 Face First Road Test of the Season against Chattanooga FC - FC Cincinnati 2
• FC Cincinnati 2 Sign Defender Gaël Gibert to MLS NEXT Pro Contract - FC Cincinnati 2
• Ventura County FC Gets Past Irvine Zeta FC II, 2-1, to Advance to Second Round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Ventura County FC
• U.S. Open Cup Recap: Colorado Rapids 2 Advances to Second Round of U.S. Open Cup After a 3-0 Win Over Azteca FC - Colorado Rapids 2

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Chicago Fire FC II Stories

• Chicago Fire FC II Drops Unbeaten Streak in 4-3 Loss against New England Revolution II
• Chicago Fire FC II Earns 1-0 Victory at Chattanooga FC
• Chicago Fire FC II Earns Additional Point in 1-1 Home Draw against Crown Legacy FC
• Chicago Fire FC II Wins 3-1 at Inter Miami CF II
• Chicago Fire FC II Wins Additional Point in 1-1 Draw at Carolina Core FC