MLS' Fire next for Louisville City in U.S. Open

Exactly two months into its inaugural season, the Louisville City Football Club is already set to play one of American soccer's top-tier franchises.

Louisville City FC knocked off the Indy Eleven Wednesday night, using a pair of extra time goals in front of 7,134 fans, to move on in U.S. Open Cup play. Next up is a June 16 road match versus Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire in the annual tournament's fourth round.

"I think it's wonderful that the guys will get this kind of exposure," said majority Louisville City FC owner Wayne Estopinal. "It's a great indication of how hard the team and the staff have been working, and it's wonderful to see that coming around. It was really a hard-fought win last night -- long night."

Striker Nate Polak, for the second game in a row, netted a shot to give Louisville City FC its first lead in the 115th minute before Sidney Rivera booted another goal in the 119th to mark a 2-0 victory over the Indy Eleven.

Louisville City FC's win was one of seven -- with no losses -- for third-tier United Soccer Leagues franchises over second-tier North American Soccer League opponents.

"I think that was very encouraging for the USL," Estopinal said. "I think it shows while one might be designated (third) division, we've always felt we've had very competitive teams."

James O'Connor, Louisville City FC's coach, played in the USL for Orlando City SC as recently as last season.

"It's fantastic the league can show such strength," he said. "When we were in Orlando, we always though we'd be a matchup for any NASL team."

Estopinal said it's "very possible" either the club or supporters group, The Coopers, put together plans for a fan bus to Chicago sometime before the Fire game. Match time is 8:30 p.m. ET at Toyota Park with tickets on sale starting at noon Thursday.

Chicago has a solid U.S. Open Cup history having compiled a 36-12-4 record. The Fire won it all in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006, though the club is just 3-2-5 in regular-season MLS play this year.

As for competing at that level -- and potentially losing some of his stronger players to MLS rosters because of the U.S. Open Cup exposure -- O'Connor said, "That's not something we focus on." The club's leading scorer, Matt Fondy, did play eight games last season for the Fire, and others on the roster have top-level experience.

At 4-1-4 in the USL, Louisville City FC has two more matches to play -- with the first Saturday against Saint Louis FC at Louisville Slugger Field -- before traveling to Chicago. Saturday's game will mark the club's sixth in 19 days. O'Connor's team has so far tallied four wins along with a 3-3 draw last Sunday at Saint Louis.

"We're pleased, but we don't want to stand still and look around," the coach said. "We've got a massive game Saturday, and we're looking toward that now."

Each of Louisville City FC's three U.S. Open Cup matches have come on the road, a trend likely to continue with more wins because of previously scheduled games for the Triple-A Louisville Bats at Slugger Field. The fifth round runs from June 30-July 1 and quarterfinals from July 21-22 before the semifinals Aug. 11-12 and final Sept. 29 or 30.

The USL's Rochester Rhinos are the last non-MLS franchise to have won the U.S. Open Cup, a feat the club accomplished in 1999.