Detroit City FC Seeks Revenge vs MLS Power Chicago Fire FC in Open Cup Showdown
USL Detroit City FC

Detroit City FC Seeks Revenge vs MLS Power Chicago Fire FC in Open Cup Showdown

Published on April 2, 2026 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Detroit City FC News Release


DETROIT - Detroit City FC will once again host Major League Soccer opposition at Keyworth Stadium, as Le Rouge hosts Chicago Fire FC in the Round of 32 of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, April 14. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET in Hamtramck, with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. and national coverage available via streaming on CBS Sports Golazo Network and Paramount+.

Ticket and parking presale for season ticket members begins Monday, April 6th at noon, and opens to the general public at 2p.m. that same day. Fans will be able to buy tickets online via the club's website or in person at the Capitol Park location in downtown Detroit, with walk-up sales at the Keyworth box office beginning 90 minutes before kickoff.

Season ticket holders will get early access to tickets and parking options at noon on Monday April 6th. Tickets and premium options will be available at that time, with group offerings available for larger parties; full pricing details and seating maps are available on the tickets page at detcityfc.com/tickets.

How They Got Here

Detroit City returns to the Open Cup after facing the Fire in the 2025 Round of 32 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill., in the first competitive meeting between the clubs. That appearance came after a 3-1 home win over Westchester SC, with Morey Doner, Jeciel Cedeño and Darren Smith all scoring in the second half. DCFC's recent Open Cup history against MLS opposition includes a 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew in 2022, a home matchup with Minnesota United FC in 2023, and a 2024 penalty-shootout upset of Houston Dynamo in which goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña converted the deciding kick.

Chicago enters the tournament with one of the most decorated resumes in Open Cup history, having won four titles in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. The Fire also hold the record for the most wins and semifinal appearances by an MLS club in the competition. In 2025, Chicago was announced as the host for the Round of 32 matchup against Detroit City, with the match streamed nationally on Paramount+.

Le Rouge heads into the Open Cup window after a strong start to the 2026 USL Championship season, including a 1-0 home win over Charleston Battery at Keyworth Stadium. Detroit has shown early defensive structure and timely finishing under head coach Danny Dichio, building momentum through the opening weeks of league play. Forward Darren Smith remains a central attacking figure after decisive contributions in both league and cup competition.

The Open Cup has become a defining competition for Detroit City in recent years, with Le Rouge developing a reputation for delivering big performances against MLS opposition. Another home Cup night at Keyworth offers a familiar setting for one of the club's signature atmospheres. With a place in the Round of 16 on the line, the stakes are high from the opening whistle.

Chicago arrives in Hamtramck carrying one of the strongest Open Cup traditions in American soccer. The club's four championships remain tied for the most by an MLS team, and its broader Cup record reinforces the Fire's place among the competition's historic standard-bearers. The Fire returned to first-team Open Cup play in 2025 after Chicago Fire II represented the club in the 2024 edition and advanced to the Quarterfinals, where they lost to Minnesota United 3-1.

For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on X, Facebook, and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 2, 2026


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