With the 2010 Indiana Challenge Cup being held in South Bend over 1,000 soccer enthusiasts made their way to the Invaders Soccer Complex.  The crowd was welcomed by summer, as it finally found its way to Indiana, on what ended up being a beautiful evening to watch the Indiana Invaders take the pitch against the Chicago Fire in a US Open Cup qualifier.  The crowd was not disappointed as both teams came ready to play.  Both teams tried to find possession in the first half as both teams sat back and played solid defense unwilling to concede an early goal. 

                With both teams sitting back, each side looked to their front runners to create a spark.  The Invaders looked to Minori Sato and Musa Kamara to provide the offensive threat.  Both worked all evening but were unable to get in behind the organized Fire defense.  The same could be said of the defense by the Invaders.  The Fire was able to hold possession but didn’t have the chance to test Invaders goalkeeper Avery Steinlage. 

                With about 15 minutes to go in the match the Fire caught a break.  Tyler Pagano committed an unfortunate foul just inside the penalty box and the Fire was awarded a penalty kick.  A Fire forward stepped up and placed a well paced shot in the side netting to give the Fire a 1-0 lead.  The Invaders battled and put numbers forward but were unable to score an equalizer as the game ended with the Fire winning 1-0.