Fire Defense Out of Tune against Loons

Photo Credit: Minnesota United

Minnesota United FC 2-1 Chicago Fire

MINNEAPOLIS, MN–Once again, shoddy defending in a space of ten minutes cost the Fire as they fell 2-1 to Minnesota United FC. The Fire are now 0-2-0 heading into the first international break. 

Matt Polster was out to a sprained knee while Bastian Schweinsteiger stayed in Chicago as his wife Ana Ivanovic is expecting their first child soon. 

The Fire found their footing midway into the first half and played decently, but again gave up a second-chance goal in the 55th minute. After being initially stopped by Richard Sanchez, Ibson got the rebound and scored from close range for his first career goal. 

The Fire equalized four minutes later after blocking a clearance. Former Fire keeper Matt Lampson made the initial stop on Nemanja Nikolic, but Loyola’s Elliott Collier put in the rebound for his first professional goal. 

However six minutes later, the Fire shut off defensively as Ethan Finlay sent a cross into the box that was headed in by Sam Nicholson and the Loons then held on for the win. 

Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic said that his team got away from how they were playing towards the end of the first half. 

“It was a tough second half for us,” said Paunovic. “We conceded two goals after a very good first half I think. I think defensively we were very solid and did a good job creating opportunities and moments in the game where we could score. We conceded goals too easily and that’s something that we have to improve and keep working on that and turn to the next game.

“Bastian’s wife is expecting a baby and Polster got injured in our last training session. We basically had to switch what from we prepared, but that’s something that happens in this sport and in every sport. We were ready for the switch, but unfortunately in the second half we couldn’t keep the good game we were playing and the score that we were looking for which was 0-0 until we find an opportunity to score which happened later in the game. Again, conceding goals never was helpful and never is going to be helpful.”

The Fire play again in two weeks when they host the Portland Timbers. Kickoff is at 5pm and part of a doubleheader with the Chicago Red Stars who host the Portland Thorns at 7:15pm. The Fire’s match will be streamed on MLS LIVE and the MLS App. 

SCORING SUMMARY:
MIN-Ibson (unassisted) 55
CHI-Elliott Collier (unassisted) 59
MIN-Sam Nicholson (Finlay, Ibarra) 65

BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-Kevin Ellis (caution, dissent) 60
CHI-Tony Tchani (caution, unsporting behavior) 66
MIN-Mason Toye (caution, time wasting) 90+2

MINNESOTA UNITED FC (4-2-3-1):  #28-Matt Lampson; #4-Tyrone Mears (#8-Marc Burch 83), #25-Michael Boxall, #5-Francisco Calvo, #3-Jerome Thiesson; #20-Rasmus Schüller, #7-Ibson; #13-Ethan Finlay, #10-Miguel Ibarra (#14-Brent Kallman 90+4), #12-Sam Nicholson; #21-Christian Ramirez (#23-Mason Toye 81)

Subs not used:  #33-Bobby Shuttleworth, #26-Collen Warner, #17-Collin Martin, #16-Harrison Heath

CHICAGO FIRE (4-2-3-1):  #45-Richard Sanchez; #27-Rafael Ramos (#18-Drew Conner 85), #4-Johan Kappelhof, #3-Brandon Vincent, #5-Kevin Ellis; #6-Dax McCarty, #12-Tony Tchani; #28-Elliott Collier, #9-Luis Solignac (#21-Alan Gordon 80), #10-Aleksandar Katai (#20-Daniel Johnson 73); #23-Nemanja Nikolic

Subs not used:  #1-Patrick McLean, #26-Christian Dean, #19-Mo Adams, #13-Brandt Bronico

TOTAL SHOTS:  MIN 11-11 CHI
SHOTS ON GOAL:  MIN 5-5 CHI
FOULS:  MIN 8-17 CHI
OFFSIDES:  MIN 1-2 CHI
CORNER KICKS:  MIN 5-2 CHI
SAVES:  MIN 4-3 CHI

Referee:  Alex Chilowicz
Assistant Referees:  Jason White, Felisha Mariscal
4th Official:  Baldomero Toledo
VAR:  Kevin Terry Jr. 
Weather:  Sunny and 40º
Attendance:  23,138
Man of the Match:  Ethan Finlay (MIN)