In the 11th minute, a free kick from Chicago’s Djordje Mihailovic found Sapong in the box. But his shot was blocked by STLFC’s Paris Gee.

On their first real scoring chance of the contest, STLFC grabbed the lead in the 17th minute. On a counter started by midfielder Lewis Hilton, the ball was played to Russell Cicerone breaking down the left wing. His cross to the box was headed in by Austin Martz.

“The slow start, it wasn’t the plan. The plan was to come out with energy and press,” Martz said. “Once we settled down, I felt like we started to play our game. To get my first (STLFC goal) on a night like this, against an MLS club, was really positive. I have to credit the guys on this team for sticking with me and encouraging me over the last couple of seasons.”

In the 21st minute, the home team went up 2-0. Hilton played a free kick into the box for Guy Abend, who snapped a header past Chicago keeper Kenneth Kronholm.

“We came in always believing we can get a positive result,” Hilton said. “Just a matter of taking our chances and getting crosses into the box. Got on the end of two crosses and worked as hard as we could and managed to get a great result.”