Grit and Heart Not Enough: Short-Handed Chicago Fire FC Fall to Minnesota United in Open Cup Quarterfinal Thriller

ST. PAUL, Minn. — July 8, 2025

In a match that showcased the very spirit of knockout soccer — courage, drama, and cruel twists — Chicago Fire FC’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run came to an end on Tuesday night, falling 3-1 in extra time to Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field. Despite an early red card that forced Chicago to play nearly 100 minutes a man down, the Fire battled valiantly but ultimately saw their dream extinguished in the dying moments of the second extra period.

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A Gut-Punch Before a Gutiérrez Spark

The quarterfinal clash looked well-balanced through the opening stages until disaster struck for Chicago. Veteran defender Omar González, a steady presence for the Fire this season, was dismissed in the 25th minute after VAR adjudged his elbow on Julian Gressel to be violent conduct during a corner-kick tussle. For a club already fighting for its footing in MLS play, losing González — whose leadership and aerial prowess are vital — was a devastating blow.

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But football, especially cup football, has a way of flipping narratives. Just moments after going down to ten men, the Fire turned a broken set piece into hope. Winger Philip Zinckernagel drew a penalty, and local homegrown talent Brian Gutiérrez calmly buried the spot-kick for his first goal of the 2025 Open Cup campaign. The defiant lead underscored Chicago’s tenacity and hinted that an upset might be brewing.

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Loons Fly Forward — And Find the Breakthrough

The lead wouldn’t last forever. Minnesota head coach Eric Ramsay wasted no time at halftime, sending on fresh legs in Robin Lod and Anthony Markanich — an inspired move that paid immediate dividends. Just three minutes into the second half, Markanich exploited space on the left and whipped a low ball across the goal for Lod, who tapped home with ease. Suddenly, Minnesota had all the momentum and nearly snatched the lead multiple times, only to be denied by the heroics of goalkeeper Chris Brady.

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Brady, freshly returned from international duty with the U.S. Men’s National Team, was imperious between the sticks. His sprawling saves — seven in regulation — kept the Fire alive and gave their exhausted outfield players a fighting chance. His quick reflexes on Joseph Rosales’ free-kick rocket and Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s long-range attempt were particular highlights.

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Extra Time: Tired Legs, Broken Hearts

As regulation expired 1-1, extra time loomed like a mountain for a Chicago side whose legs were already weary. Minnesota, buoyed by its partisan crowd and numerical advantage, turned the screw. A clever passage of play saw Carlos Harvey nod a chip into the path of Kelvin Yeboah, who made no mistake from close range to put the hosts ahead in the 95th minute.

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Even then, Chicago refused to wilt. Belgian forward Hugo Cuypers and substitute Jonathan Bamba both forced Dayne St. Clair into action, but the equalizer wouldn’t come. When Yeboah earned and converted a penalty in the 120th minute — his second goal of the night — the final blow was delivered. Minnesota’s progression to their second-ever Open Cup semifinal was sealed.

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A Result That Reveals Deeper Truths

Chicago’s early exit may sting, but the match spoke volumes about this squad’s resilience under adversity. Playing with ten men against a high-pressing, possession-dominant side is brutal; playing for nearly 100 minutes under those circumstances is exhausting. For head coach Gregg Berhalter, the takeaway will be the fight his side showed, especially from younger contributors like Gutiérrez and goalkeeper Brady.

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That spirit will be needed. With the Fire’s league form inconsistent, Berhalter must now find ways to channel this fighting mentality into MLS play. Chicago sits outside the playoff line, but performances like this — organized, disciplined, and determined — can become the foundation of a more stable second half of the season.

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On the flip side, Minnesota’s advance highlights the value of squad depth and tactical boldness. Ramsay’s triple halftime substitution reshaped the game, demonstrating the benefit of having a versatile bench and the courage to change the plan midstream. If the Loons maintain this form and home advantage, they may yet write a new chapter in their Open Cup history, five years after finishing runners-up.

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Key Stats Tell the Story

• Shots: Minnesota 26, Chicago 11
• Shots on Goal: Minnesota 10, Chicago 4
• Possession: Minnesota 59%, Chicago 41%
• Saves: Chris Brady 7 — an inspired return from international duty.
• Attendance: 9,814 supporters at Allianz Field witnessed a gritty quarterfinal that epitomized what the Open Cup is all about: underdogs, late drama, and big moments.

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What’s Next

Chicago now turns its focus to Soldier Field, where they’ll welcome San Diego FC for the first time in an interconference MLS clash. It’s another chance to regroup and prove that the fight shown in St. Paul wasn’t a one-off but a sign of better things to come.

Minnesota, meanwhile, continue their chase for a first Open Cup trophy — and they’ll do so with the momentum of an extra-time triumph that tested their patience, depth, and nerve.

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Final Thoughts

The U.S. Open Cup remains one of the most unpredictable and compelling competitions in American soccer. Tuesday night was a reminder that even a man down, a team’s heart can stretch 90 minutes into 120 — but sometimes, the cruel bounce of the ball decides who dreams on.

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