CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Soccer Club hosts the first round of the U.S. Open Cup against Chicago FC United, a competition that includes teams from Major League Soccer. 

Team captain Bobi Cancar is excited to represent the area where he was born and raised. 

“I’ve played in this area for the last 25 years or so, alongside and against many of these players on our team," he said. “Anyone who follows U.S. soccer recognizes how prestigious of a tournament it is.” 

The team was founded in 2018, and this is the first year it has the opportunity to participate in this competition due to the pandemic. 

Cancar said he and his teammates are ready to take on the team from the Windy City. 

“We come here to win,” he said. “We understand we are playing a good team, but we are there to win, especially on our home turf.” 

Samuel Seibert, the club's president, said this will bring a much-deserved national spotlight to Cleveland soccer. 

“It is like history making for us,” Seibert said. “We love it. We are happy to host everyone.”

The team's coach, Lewis Dunne, said their past winning seasons are what got them invited to the U.S. Open Cup. 

“You have to have a certain record, and you have to bid to get in, and you get selected to have the opportunity to make that bid and we were entered into the competition,” Dunne said. “So we were very fortunate but it has taken a lot good, hard work to get there.” 

If they win the game Tuesday against Chicago FC United, they advance to the next round. If they continue in the tournament, they might end up playing an MLS team.

The first round kicks off at 7:15 p.m. at George Finnie Stadium. Tickets are avilable online or at the gate.