Chicago Fire Awarded First Priority to Host 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final
Hosting Rights Were Drawn in Order of Chicago Fire, Real Salt Lake, Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City
The 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is drawing to a close… only a few teams remain from the total of 91 who kicked off to play for the $250,000 prize this year: Originally there were 17 from MLS, nine from NASL, 21 from USL PRO, 19 from PDL, 12 from NPSL, 11 from USASA, one from U.S. Club Soccer, and one from USSSA. Now there are only MLS teams in the running.
The Draw to determine hosting priority for the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final took place at Soccer House Wednesday morning, with the Chicago Fire winning first right to host the match, should they advance.
To determine the hosting priority order for the Sept. 30 Final, the names of all four semifinalists were placed in envelopes and drawn at random. The order went as follows: Chicago Fire, Real Salt Lake, Philadelphia Union, Sporting Kansas City.
Should the Chicago Fire fall to the Philadelphia Union, Real Salt Lake would be next in line to host if they advance. Should Real Salt Lake be defeated by Sporting Kansas City and Philadelphia advance, the Union would host the Final. Sporting Kansas City will not host the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final.
The kickoff time for the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final on Wednesday, Sept. 30 will be announced once the host is determined.
The Draw was conducted by U.S. Open Cup Commissioner Paul Marstaller with U.S. Soccer Development Academy Director Jared Micklos pulling the envelopes.
U.S. Soccer will broadcast both U.S. Open Cup semifinal matches on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The game between the Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET in Chester, Pennsylvania, while Sporting Kansas City will host Real Salt Lake at 7:30 p.m. CT in Kansas City, Kansas.
Semifinals
| Date | Game | Time | Venue |
| Aug. 12* | Chicago Fire (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS) | 7:30 p.m. ET | PPL Park; Chester, Pa. |
| Aug. 12 | Real Salt Lake (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS) | 7:30 p.m. CT | Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan. |
*Date Change June 24
Final
| Date | Game | Time | Venue |
| Sept. 30 | Real Salt Lake (MLS)/Sporting Kansas City (MLS) winner at Chicago Fire (MLS) | TBD | Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill. |
| or | |||
| Sept. 30 | Philadelphia Union (MLS) at Real Salt Lake (MLS) | TBD | Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah |
| or | |||
| Sept. 30 | Sporting Kansas City (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS) | TBD | PPL Park; Chester, Pa. |
Who started this long road to the final?
Participating Professional Teams (47 total):
Major League Soccer (Division I – 17 teams, entering in the Fourth Round): Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew SC, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting Kansas City
North American Soccer League (Division II – 9 teams, entering in the Third Round):
Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Indy Eleven, Jacksonville Armada, Minnesota United FC, New York Cosmos, San Antonio Scorpions, Tampa Bay Rowdies
USL PRO (Division III – 21 teams, entering in the Second Round):
Arizona United, Austin Aztex, Charleston Battery, Charlotte Independence, Colorado Springs Switchbacks, Harrisburg City Islanders, LA Galaxy II, Louisville City FC, New York Red Bulls (USL PRO), Oklahoma City Energy, Orange County Blues, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Portland Timbers 2, Real Monarchs SLC, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, Sacramento Republic, Saint Louis FC, Seattle Sounders 2, Tulsa Roughnecks, Wilmington Hammerheads
For more details on the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, visit www.ussoccer.com.
