After a year hiatus due to the pandemic, the U.S. Open Cup is back in 2021. This season, only eight Major League Soccer clubs will earn a spot in the knockout tournament—a change from years past when all MLS sides would automatically join the competition.
So, how does an MLS team make it? The top eight teams through the first three match weeks will qualify. Do the Chicago Fire have a chance? Well, let’s see...
The Schedule
There are two factors working against the Fire here. First, while the team opens at Soldier Field, the next two weeks are on the road.