Detroit City FC to host MLS club Chicago Fire FC in U.S. Open Cup

The two teams will meet in the Round of 32 of the prestigious national tournament.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:05pm

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Major League Soccer is returning to Keyworth Stadium in Detroit as the Chicago Fire FC will face off against Detroit City FC in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This will be the latest matchup between the USL Championship club DCFC and an MLS opponent, after the team previously faced off against the Houston Dynamo, Minnesota United FC, and the Columbus Crew in past U.S. Open Cup tournaments.

Why it matters

The U.S. Open Cup is a prestigious national tournament that pits professional and amateur clubs against each other, providing an opportunity for lower-division teams like Detroit City FC to test themselves against the top-tier MLS clubs. DCFC has had some success in the past, knocking out the defending champions Houston Dynamo in 2024, and this matchup against the Chicago Fire will be another chance for the club to make a deep run in the tournament and showcase the talent in the Detroit soccer community.

The details

Detroit City FC and the Chicago Fire FC will meet in the Round of 32 of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The game will be played at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Michigan, either on Tuesday, April 14 or Wednesday, April 15. Tickets for the match will go on sale to the public on Monday at 2 p.m. This will be the third time in the last four years that DCFC has faced an MLS opponent in the U.S. Open Cup, after previously taking on the Houston Dynamo, Minnesota United FC, and the Columbus Crew.

  • The game will be played either Tuesday, April 14 or Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
  • Tickets for the match will go on sale to the public on Monday, April 7, 2026 at 2 p.m.

The players

Detroit City FC

A professional soccer club that plays in the USL Championship league, Detroit City FC has established itself as a powerhouse in the lower divisions of American soccer and has had success in the U.S. Open Cup against MLS opponents in recent years.

Chicago Fire FC

A Major League Soccer club based in Chicago, Illinois, the Chicago Fire FC will be making the trip to Keyworth Stadium to take on Detroit City FC in the Round of 32 of the 2026 U.S. Open Cup.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to host the Chicago Fire at Keyworth Stadium and test ourselves against one of the top teams in MLS. Our fans have shown they can create an incredible atmosphere for these big cup matches, and we're looking forward to another memorable night of soccer in Detroit.”

— Trevor James, Head Coach, Detroit City FC

What’s next

The winner of the Detroit City FC vs. Chicago Fire FC matchup will advance to the Round of 16 in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The takeaway

This U.S. Open Cup clash between Detroit City FC and the Chicago Fire FC represents another opportunity for the lower-division club to test itself against top-tier MLS opposition and potentially make a deep run in the prestigious national tournament. The match will also showcase the growing soccer culture and passionate fan base in the Detroit area.