“It’s experience,” said Smith. “It’s composure. It’s being in those positions time and time again. So when that ball comes at my feet it’s trying to stay as composed as possible, as calm as possible. Pick my head up and pick a spot and put it away.”
Madison did all they could to find an equalizer in the second half of extra-time as Chicago House parked the bus defensively – clearing the ball down the pitch every chance they had.
And just like that, the referee blew the final whistle on one of the biggest Cupsets so far in this 2023 Open Cup. And Chicago House’s celebrations began in earnest.
“A massive win,” said Poland. “The guys just fought. And that’s the thing, credit to them. We don’t always look the best, which frustrates me as a coach, as a tactical coach. But as a coach of young men that are fighting for professional contracts, you can’t ask for more heart than they gave today.”
“So I’m just incredibly proud of the team,” added the coach, who likely turned a few heads himself with the result. “The fans were awesome and it’s just wild. It’s just wild.”
Well Chicago House, you definitely earned the right to be in Madison. And now you’ve earned the right to take on Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire in the next round of the Open Cup.
