Chicago Fire 0-2 Charlotte FC
CHICAGO, IL—What could have been a night to build on the momentum from Wednesday night’s win against Inter Miami, became the same old story again as the Fire dropped a 2-0 decision to Charlotte FC leaving the hosts needing to win at New York City FC on Decision Day and needing help from other teams (at least from Columbus and Nashville) to avoid being the second team in MLS history to miss the playoffs six consecutive years.
The crowd was announced at 18,308 which brought the average attendance for the year at 18,175 which is a record for the club as well as total fans at 308,975, but that of course includes Wednesday’s crowd of 62,124. Without that crowd, the average would be 15,428, which would’ve been a 2.7% drop from 2022.
A sluggish first half by the Fire was punished in the 23rd minute when Ashley Westwood struck on the volley after a half-cleared header by a defender in the box.
Brian Gutierrez came closest to equalizing just before halftime, but his free kick was parried over the bar by Kristijan Kahlina who made three saves on the night.
Charlotte ended up doubling their lead in the 58th minute after VAR showed Miguel Navarro tripping Enzo Copetti in the box and Karol Swiderski converted the spot kick.
From there, the Fire had several chances to pull at least one back, but ultimately none would be taken. Maren Haile-Selassie and Rafael Czichos had efforts saved, and Kacper Przybylko would miss a point blank shot sending it over the bar.
So instead of perhaps being in control of their own destiny on Decision Day (as results elsewhere would not have meant clinching a playoff spot even if they won), it becomes do or die plus needing help.
“I just think we need to win, really, if you think about it, because maybe a little bit of help, I think everyone’s playing on the road,” said Fire head coach Frank Klopas. “You know, that’s why I think when, you know, dropping points at home, I think makes it difficult but still, the opportunity’s there in the last game. I think it lines up great for Decision Day. I think it’s going to be exciting, at least for two or three teams vying for those one or two spots.”
The Fire conclude the regular season on Saturday, October 21st, at New York City FC, who find themselves in the same boat as the Fire. Montreal will be at Columbus while New York Red Bulls will be at Nashville. Should Charlotte win their makeup game against Inter Miami on October 18th, they will be in the catbird’s seat doing into Decision Day and will be at home against Inter Miami well in control of their destiny.
For Fire fans and anyone who follows Major League Soccer, it’s the same old story again for the team. Just when you think the Fire might be taking steps forward, they take a couple back and they’re right back where they started from.
There was chatter about possible retaining sporting director Georg Heitz for 2024, but if the Fire do not make the playoffs for the sixth year running, the tune will need to change as soon as possible.
SCORING SUMMARY:
CLT-Ashley Westwood (unassisted) 23
CLT-Karol Swiderski (penalty kick) 58
BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-Gaston Gimenez (caution, reckless tackle) 60
CHI-Carlos Teran (caution, reckless foul) 80
CLT-Derrick Jones (caution, delaying a restart) 90+3
CLT-Kamil Jozwiak (caution, tactical foul) 90+6
CHICAGO FIRE (4-2-3-1): #34-Chris Brady; #6-Miguel Navarro (#3-Alonso Aceves 69), #5-Rafael Czichos, #16-Wyatt Omsberg (#4-Carlos Teran 69), #24-Jonathan Dean; #26-Ousmane Doumbia (#7-Maren Haile-Selassie 46), #30-Gaston Gimenez; #21-Fabian Herbers, #17-Brian Gutierrez, #10-Xherdan Shaqiri; #19-Georgios Koutsias (#11-Kacper Przybylko 46)
Subs not used: #18-Spencer Richey, #37-Javier Casas, #32-Missael Rodriguez, #2-Arnaud Souquet, #27-Kendall Burks
CHARLOTTE FC (4-3-3): #1-Kristijan Kahlina; #3-Jere Uronen, #34-Andrew Privett, #29-Adison Malanda, #14-Nathan Byrne; #11-Karol Swiderski (#22-Justin Meram 76), #8-Ashley Westwood, #13-Brandt Bronico (#20-Derrick Jones 70); #18-Kerwin Vargas (#37-Scott Arfield 76), #9-Enzo Copetti (#33-Patrick Agyemang 86), #7-Kamil Jozwiak
Subs not used: #31-George Marks, #25-Harrison Afful, #17-McKinze Gaines, #24-Jaylin Lindsey, #6-Bill Tuiloma
EXPECTED GOALS: CHI 1.01-1.18 CLT
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 11-7 CLT
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 3-5 CLT
FOULS: CHI 13-15 CLT
OFFSIDES: CHI 4-5 CLT
CORNER KICKS: CHI 8-6 CLT
SAVES: CHI 3-3 CLT
Referee: Natalie Simon
Referee’s Assistants: Corey Parker, Oscar Mitchell-Carvahlo
Fourth Official: Ramy Touchan
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez
AVAR: Kyle Atkins
Weather: Clear and 54º
Attendance: 18,308
Man of the Match: Kristijan Kahlina (CLT)
