Brady Makes Six Saves in Goalless Draw

Chicago, IL-The Chicago Fire needed something to build after a disappointing loss in its rearview mirror from

last weekend. So, a complete 90-minute effort and a clean sheet was good enough to the Fire to take a 0-0 draw against visiting Atlanta United at Soldier Field on Saturday night.

The Fire (2-4-4, 10 points) managed to secure a point behind the efforts of its goalkeeper Chris Brady with his second clean sheet, as he made 6 saves against a potent attack from Atlanta United (3-3-3, 12 points).

“It was an internal thing,” Brady said. “I felt last week, I didn’t come out with that much heart and didn’t play the way I wanted too. So, this week throughout training every day, it was more about showing the passion on the field to do whatever it takes to keep the ball out of the net. Last week, wasn’t a good indicator of that. That’s how I feel every week from now on.”

Making the saves, Brady stepped up for a few big-time stops in the final 10 to 15 minutes that made a big difference.

“When I get called upon it’s a matter of doing well,” Brady said. “It was huge to get a clean sheet against Atlanta, because they’re doing well in the table. It sticks to (Atlanta) and puts the pressure back to them. It’s always good to get a clean sheet for me and for the backline. Hopefully, next week we can score more goals.”

For the Chicago Fire, trying to build confidence goes a long way over some recent results. This result was a good one with a point but three would’ve been better.

“This game was a bit different we played with two strikers,” Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas said. “We tried to build with three in the back and tried to attack more out wide. Because (Atlanta) was more compact and gave more space in the wide areas. We wanted to push our fullbacks and create and overload with crosses coming in. Maybe at times we didn’t have that rhythm, because we wanted to be more direct. For me, it’s a step in the right direction. Getting a clean sheet was huge and the mentality was good. We’ll take the point and go from here.”

The Fire will keep its home schedule going and next hosts New England on Saturday, May 4th 7:30 p.m. back at Soldier Field.

Before the match, assistant coach and former goalkeeper Zach Thornton was honored by being placed into the Ring-of-Fire for his great accomplishment in the early years of the club. He’s the first goalkeeper to be honored and was an important piece of the Fire to win the MLS and the US Open Cups in its inaugural year back in 1998.

“To be with the eight other players that I played with it’s a huge honor,” Thornton said. “I was grateful to come to Chicago, get drafted, it was a great opportunity. Just to play with all those great players, it was a great experience, and I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Thornton’s past seems to bring back memories that he and the rest of the coaches can put forth to players of today.

“These guys are all extremely talented, Thornton said. “Just how competitive they are in training. We’re all good friends and enjoy each other’s company. Like (long-time former coach) Bob Bradley, used to say, ‘don’t let the guy next to you down.’ It’s those kinds of things to install into these guys.”

Even Brady has learned a lot from the former keeper in Thornton to follow up with his efforts on the field in goal.

“Fortunately, I wish I grew in a time where I could’ve watched him,” Brady said. “From the clips I’ve seen, he seems like a very athletic strong goalkeeper that I can admire. Especially, with keepers that I idolize. That physical and mental strength with fortitude that I idolize in my game. For sure, his character all around and now as a coach is a great guy and I love working with him every day. He’s just strong and a tough guy.”

None