The Chicago Fire’s journey for their fifth US Open Cup continued on Tuesday night at Toyota Park when they took on USL 2 side Cleveland City Stars. When the final whistle blew, that’s all Cleveland could see, stars. The Fire beat the visitors four to one and could have scored more. The Fire mostly used their reserves in this one, but they all played like they should be starters.

The Chicago Fire’s downward spiral continued Saturday night at Toyota Park when they tied the San Jose Earthquakes nil to nil. Some may view this as progress as they got a point out of the contest, but when you are playing an expansion team who has been struggling this year, a win should be a given but instead this downward spiral only continues for the Fire.

The Fire has lost three of their last four games, and the first half didn’t look good for the Fire. The formation, the defense, and Chad Barrett were the ones who looked worse. Coach Denis Hamlett once again had Chad Barrett alone on top, and Chad Barrett couldn’t have had any better chances than he had in the first half.

In the first game in the Brimstone Cup this season, the Chicago Fire lost to FC Dallas 1 - 0, after a Kenny Cooper goal in the first half. The Fire, who have played great on the road this season, took a big loss, and a big hit in the standings as they now are in fourth place in the east. The Fire line-up and the weather played a big factor in this one, and it's hard to not use that as an excuse.