The story entering the match was how badly the Columbus Crew SC players wanted to get over the hump. Not only did the team want to reach the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the first time since 2010, but the players expressed the their desire to do it at the expense of the Chicago Fire, who had a perfect 5-0 record against the Black & Gold in the tournament.
Make it six on the trot for the Fire, who once again eliminated Columbus from the Open Cup, this time by 2-1 score line.