Minnesota United could gaze at a charmed path in U.S. Open Cup — with the chance to host the final two matches in St. Paul, if the Loons kept winning in the national tournament. That lineal route

Two MLS mainstays look to lock in a spot in the U.S. Open Cup Semifinals, as Minnesota United takes on the Chicago Fire in the first of four quarterfinals on Tuesday night.

However, that advantage was immediately squandered when, upon the restart, Loons captain Wil Trapp fouled Chicago forward Philip Zinckernagel in the Minnesota box, awarding the Fire a penalty kick. Brian Gutiérrez converted on the ensuing penalty to give the Fire a 1-0 lead.