Jamaican forward Damani Ralph's goal in the 68th minute earned the Chicago Fire its third Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title in six years with a 1-0 win over the MetroStars Wednesday at Giants Stadium.
The Fire, who also won the Open Cup in 1998 and 2000.
''I think from the start of this whole competition our team had a very good approach,'' said Chicago coach Dave Sarachan said. ''To be able to come into their building in New York and having played them already four times and to come away with a very good result is huge for our team. As a team, organization and a coaching staff we are very proud and pleased knowing that we still have more on the horizon.''
On the deciding goal, the ball was played wide right to Evan Whitfield, who gathered it in space and dribbled toward goal before slotting the ball to an unmarked Ralph, who scored from 10 yards out. Three days earlier, Ralph made his debut for Jamaica's Reggae Boyz in a 1-0 loss to Brazil in a friendly played in England.
The Fire walks away with the $100,000 championship purse, while the MetroStars earn $50,000 as runners up.
U.S. OPEN CUP SUMMARY:
Oct. 15 in East Rutherford, N.J.
MetroStars 0 Chicago 1. Goal: Ralph 66.
MetroStars — Walker, Leitch, Jolley, Pope, Bartolomeu. R.Williams (Lisi, 78), Clark, Gaven, Guevara, Juskowiak (Wolyniec, 69), Mathis (Magee, 76)
Chicago — Thornton, Gray, Bocanegra, Curtin, Perez (A.Williams, 66), Whitfield, Armas, Marsch, Beasley, Ralph, Razov.
Yellow cards: MetroStars — Bartolomeu 50, Mathis 58; Chicago — Marsch 16, A.Williams 89.
Referee: Kevin Stott.
Att.: 5,183.