Minnesota United vs. Chicago Fire

What: U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Allianz Field
Stream: CBS Sports Network, Paramount +
Weather: 80 degrees, mostly sunny, 8 mph south wind

Form: MNUFC reached the final eight of the national tournament with a 1-0 road win over USL side Louisville City on the Round of 32 on May 7 and a 3-2 home victory over St. Louis City in the Round of 16 on May 21. Chicago beat Detroit City and New England Revolution to reach this stage.

Check-in: An initial estimate was MNUFC would draw 3,000 to 5,000 fans for this round of the USOC, but that has been revised upward to the ballpark of 8,000-9,000 as of Monday.

Nugget: The Loons’ throwback jersey will debut for its home game against Los Angeles FC on July 16, the Pioneer Press learned Monday. MNUFC will wear the adidas “heritage” jerseys in up to four MLS matches this year.

Look-ahead: If Minnesota wins, it would host the USOC semifinal in St. Paul on Sept. 16. If it wins that match, the final will also be in Minnesota on Oct. 1. The advantageous path for MNUFC to win its first trophy is clear, and the players will be reminded of the route.

“You can go 10 years in MLS and not win a trophy,” Loons head coach Eric Ramsay said. “We have a really good chance of making a good fist of it and we probably have the best conditions we could possibly have.”

Rumor mill: Both Loons left wingbacks have been subject of transfer rumors. There are tangible links between Joseph Rosales and Mexican club Tigres. In the meantime, Rosales has returned from international duty with Honduras and will factor in Tuesday. The Athletic reported Monday that Anthony Markanich, who is out of contact at season’s end, is receiving interest to sign a pre-contract from clubs abroad.

Update: The MLS summer transfer window opens July 24 and closes Aug. 21 and the Loons are expected to be “active,” Ramsay said.

“We are in a really good position when it comes to strengthening the squad and we want to have the same affect on the squad that the players that came in at this point last year had,” he said Monday.

Reminder: Last summer, the Loons added two key attackers, Kelvin Yeboah and Joaquín Pereyra, while also bringing in two valuable defenders, Markanich and Jefferson Diaz. If MNUFC hits on that many newcomers again, the tail end of the season could be even more intriguing.

Absences: MNUFC is nearly 100 percent healthy. GK Wessel Speel (shoulder) is out. CB Nico Romero (calf) returned to training Monday and will be available to play Tuesday. Ramsay’s starting XI will incorporate a high level of competitiveness, while mixing in some fresher players after Friday’s match in the Texas heat.

Scouting report: Chicago has plenty of attacking talent: Philip Zinckernagel leads the statsheet (15 goal contributions), followed by Hugo Cuypers (12), Brian Gutierrez (eight) and Jonathan Bamba (seven).

Ramsay was impressed with Chicago after watching its match against FC Cincinnati in MLS action on Saturday. “They are a good team with some very good players, a contrast in styles (with Minnesota), I would say,” Ramsay said. “… I think it will be, first and foremost, about making sure we deal with them on the ball, deal with their top players, who are very good across all of that front three.”

Prediction: The Fire have been hit or miss (1.4 points per game in MLS), while Minnesota has been much more consistent (1.76) in league action. That and the Loons’ prowess to score on set pieces with the added benefit of playing at home will contribute to them advancing, 3-2.

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