Fire rout Red Bulls, advance to US Open Cup semis

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (AP)—Orr Barouch scored twice, following goals by Dominic Oduro and Yamith Cuesta, and the Chicago Fire routed the New York Red Bulls 4-0 in a U.S. Open Cup

quarterfinal match on Tuesday night.

Chicago will play either Kansas City or Richmond in the semifinals on Aug. 30.

This match was played 2 1/2 hours earlier than scheduled because of power failures following a severe thunderstorm Monday. Toyota Park had power, but officials wanted the crowd of approximately 1,500 to leave in daylight because of disabled traffic lights.

Barouch scored in the 51st and 68th minutes, beating goalkeeper Bouda Coundoul first on a rebound, then on a hard 15-yard shot.

Oduro scored the only goal of the first half in the seventh minute. He maneuvered through New York’s defense and scored from 12 yards. Cuesta headed in Daniel Paladini’s pass less than three minutes into the second half.

With New York playing mostly reserves, Chicago’s Sean Johnson never faced a shot on goal. The Fire pressed the constant attack and recorded 11 shots.

New York captain Medhi Ballouchy was the only Red Bulls regular to start. Head coach Hans Backe didn’t make the trip, with assistant Mike Petke leading the bench.