Umm, that would by THE 2003 US OPEN CUP CHAMPION Chicago Fire! Got the willies a bit when they showed the trophy preparation though. That had jinx written all over it. Oh, and the Fire become the first team in the MLS era to win the Cup on enemy territory, too.
YES!!!!!! After the injury-riddled seasons, the player and coach changes and Naperville. YES!!!!! Three USOC Championships in 6 years. Wow. And we won this one away. I envy the Fire fans who got to go to Jersey. It's gonna be rockin' in Soldier Field on Saturday. Congrats to Peter Wilt, to Dave Sarachan, to Damani Ralph, to Zach Thornton and Jesse Marsch and all the Fire players and staff.
Domestic Titles since '96 '96 MLS Supporter's Shield: Tampa Bay Mutiny '96 MLS Cup: D.C. United '96 U.S. Open Cup: D.C. United '97 MLS Supporter's Shield: D.C. United '97 MLS Cup: D.C. United '97 U.S. Open Cup: Dallas Burn '98 MLS Supporter's Shield: L.A. Galaxy '98 MLS Cup: Chicago Fire '98 U.S. Open Cup: Chicago Fire '99 MLS Supporter's Shield: D.C. United '99 MLS Cup: D.C. United '99 U.S. Open Cup: Rochester Raging Rhinos '00 MLS Supporter's Shield: K.C. Wizards '00 MLS Cup: K.C. Wizards '00 U.S. Open Cup: Chicago Fire '01 MLS Supporter's Shield: Miami Fusion '01 MLS Cup: San Jose Earthquakes '01 U.S. Open Cup: L.A. Galaxy '02 MLS Supporter's Shield: L.A. Galaxy '02 MLS Cup: L.A. Galaxy '02 U.S. Open Cup: Columbus Crew '03: MLS Supporter's Shield: Fire or Quakes '03: MLS Cup: - '03 U.S. Open Cup: Chicago Fire Titles, by team D.C. United: 6 Chicago Fire: 4 L.A. Galaxy: 4 K.C. Wizards: 2 San Jose Earthquakes: 1 Dallas Burn: 1 Miami Fusion: 1 Tampa Bay Mutiny: 1 Rochester Raging Rhinos: 1 (A-League) Columbus Crew: 1 MLS Supporter's Shields, by team D.C. United: 2 L.A. Galaxy: 2 Miami Fusion: 1 K.C. Wizards: 1 Tampa Bay Mutiny: 1 MLS Cup, by team D.C. United: 3 Chicago Fire: 1 K.C. Wizards: 1 San Jose Earthquakes: 1 L.A. Galaxy: 1 U.S. Open Cup, by team Chicago Fire: 3 D.C. United: 1 L.A. Galaxy: 1 Dallas Burn: 1 Rochester Raging Rhinos: 1 (A-League) Columbus Crew: 1 Teams with no titles (Finals played in) New England Revolution ('01 U.S. Open Cup, '02 MLS Cup) Colorado Rapids ('97 MLS Cup, '99 U.S. Open Cup) MetroStars ('03 U.S. Open Cup)
It really is a shame that this match was not in Chicago! Even in Naperville we would have had a better crowd than what was there in NJ. This team deserved better than that! Here's to one hell of a party Saturday night! Go Fire!
Congrats. It's hard to say, but I said it. I've got to be honest. I thought we owned possession and should have had the game, without a doubt. You guys looked defensive at best and disinterested at worst. But, our 'top' offensive threat is now an nonentity, and you took advantage of the one break you got, so...you all know how it went. At least the Marlins should give me some satisfaction tonight.
Why? There would have been as many Fire fans there as there were Metro fans tonight. The fact that they would have been mixed in with 30,000 Mexicans in the final attendence count doesn't make a damned bit of difference. For that matter, there would have been more fans at this game if it was held at Rutgers, without a doubt. It wasn't. So be it.
*lol* I'm gonna be honest. Your analysis is crap. The Fire had all the best chances. The metrostars didn't have a single good chance all night. The better team won and the better team has been beating you all season.
I both hate and love saying the following: The Fire won, and the Cubs are done. PS, how many games did we take in this series?
Yeah Baby!!!!!!! That's what it's all about - CHAMPIONSHIPS!! Way to go Fire! As always, you make us proud and continue to prove you're the class of American soccer! I sure hope that the cup get's paraded around Soldier Field on Saturday night. While you're at it, how about claiming the Supporters Shield on Saturday as well? GO FIRE.
US Open Cup Final 1998: 18,615 US Open Cup Final 2000: 19,146 Neither of these games was a double header. US Soccer would have been smart to put it in Chicago. We have proven we can draw a crowd for a championship match. That said, I'm ok with having beaten you in your house in front of your piddly crowd.
Just got back from Gingers. They gave us one tv to watch the match (Sis, you were right). Still, nice to see us celebrate while the Cub fans were crying in their beers. One down, two to go! Bill Q.
Props to the Fire for putting those Metrohacks in their place. Now go join the White Sox fans who are partying in the streets at this moment.
Congratulations.The better team tonight won and deserved to win. Also congratulations to the Fire fans who made the trip (particularly to Beerman who was very kind to my 9 year old daughter). Neither team played wonderfully but your guys did what they had to do while mine..... As far as the total crowd goes, while there were far fewer than there should have been there are three factors to consider, the Yankee/Sox game in the Bronx, a weather advisory in effect throughout the late afternoon/early evening, and major traffic problems due to the Staten Island Ferry tragedy. Those who showed up were the hardcore. I hope all the Fire fans who made the trip have a safe trip home. There is no doubt they ill have a happy one.
You said it! I watched the match at the Goal Post (completely oblivious to those watching the Cubs). I do not have Fox Sports World on my cable. See you Saturday!
I was at the Map Room! I have to put up with all the loser (sCrubs) media. What a laugh!! We have a top level team, and I don't mean just the US, and we took the Cup. It was hard fought game and the FIRE just had what it takes. Solid D, converting their chances, that is what it takes championship game. Bobby should know that..... HOWEVEA.....Bobby will be back! Peter Wilt deserves mad props. FIRE!!! Toss [R] on this mug!!!!!!!