Charlotte Independence to face Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire in U.S. Open Cup round of 16

The Charlotte Independence will get a crack at another Major League Soccer team on June 30 when it travels to play the Chicago Fire in a U.S. Open Cup round-of-16 game.

The Independence plays in the United Soccer League, two rungs below MLS on the U.S. pro soccer ladder. Charlotte beat MLS’ New England Revolution 1-0 in a fourth-round U.S. Open Cup game Wednesday in Boston.

The Independence and the North American Soccer League’s New York Cosmos are the only non-MLS teams remaining in the U.S. Open Cup.

▪ Independence president Jim McPhilliamy said the team expects to get a temporary certificate of occupancy Friday, allowing it to play its USL home game Saturday against the Charleston Battery in a partially completed temporary stadium at Ramblewood Soccer Complex.

One section of the stadium (seating 1,548) will be open for the game. The remainder of the stadium is expected to be completed in time for the Independence’s game June 26 against Richmond. David Scott

This story was originally published June 18, 2015 at 7:37 PM with the headline "Charlotte Independence to face Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire in U.S. Open Cup round of 16."