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FC Cincinnati's U.S. Open Cup round-of-16 clash against the Chicago Fire will be broadcast live on ESPN and the ESPN App. Cincinnati's previous match in the tournament drew 30,160 fans to Nippert Stadium to watch the USL club beat Columbus Crew SC 1-0 on June 14, setting an attendance record for an Open Cup game outside of a final. Over 18,000 tickets have already been sold for the June 28 clash, FC Cincinnati announced on Friday. Adrian Healey, Taylor Twellman and Julie Stewart-Binks will provide the call for the game, which kicks off at 8 p.m. ET. It will be the first time ESPN has broadcast a USOC match before the semifinals. Cincinnati is one of 12 cities currently vying for an expansion team in Major League Soccer, which is looking to announce two clubs by the end of this year, with two more to follow. "We are thrilled and it is a testament to our fans and this city that our match against Chicago Fire SC has been selected to be an ESPN broadcast," FC Cincinnati president Jeff Berding said. "It certainly was an electric atmosphere against Columbus Crew and we have no doubt that our fans will represent the Queen City again by creating another phenomenal atmosphere at Nippert Stadium. We look forward to showing off our great city as the hottest new soccer market to the rest of country next Wednesday." The winner will advance to the quarterfinals, to be played at either new MLS club Atlanta United or the NASL's Miami FC, in July. The cup winner earns a spot in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League and $250,000.
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