Photo: Amanda Cortese
Chicago Fire FC 1-2 FC Cincinnati
CHICAGO, IL—If Chicago Fire FC is going to make the playoffs this season, they will need to cut out defensive errors and improve on its set piece defending. They also need to generate more chances at the other end and pass better. Despite the return of the red home shirts and a crowd of 26,582 at Soldier Field, the Fire fell to FC Cincinnati, 2-1.
The Fire tried to create chances, but the passing in the final third left a lot to be desired. Also leaving a lot to be desired is the defense. Rafael Czichos carelessly gave the ball away to Aaron Boupendza for an easy finish in the 39th minute. The lead would last just six minutes though, as the Fire were given a gift after VAR Frank Anderson asked referee Mario Maric to go to the screen to check a challenge by Owinna Nwobodo on Brian Gutierrez in the area. After the review, a penalty was given and was converted by Xherdan Shaqiri just before halftime.
However, the Fire could not build on that and FC Cincinnati retook the advantage on a set piece as Miles Robinson scored off Lucho Acosta’s corner kick.
Despite the loss, Fire head coach Frank Klopas saw some positives in the performance.
“When you look at it, you know, our expected goals were much higher; our ability in the box, the passes in the box, our crosses, without corners,” said Klopas. “We conceded a lot of corners and we paid for it, but I saw a lot of positive things. I think we’re a team that’s growing and we played a team that’s been established already. And I think those little things made the difference, but I felt that other than the result, which I’m never happy losing, never happy, you know, especially being here at home. But I feel that people might, you know, look at this – I say this and you might think it’s the wrong way – but I feel really positive that this team is heading in the right direction. I really do. I saw a lot of good things today. And you know, it’s disappointing that our two mistakes were costly and we paid the price for it. But we’ve got to learn, grow and move forward.”
Part of moving forward is improved cohesiveness and that leading to the desired results even with a challenging opening schedule.
“I think we were putting a lot of time and energy on the training field, we saw in spurts, you know, in moments what we can do and what we can accomplish,” said Fire midfielder Kellyn Acosta. “I think, you know, for us, there was some mental lapses of concentration, especially with the two goals and some other moments. But it’s one of those things where we got to look at the video, learn from our mistakes. And as we go on, fine tune those mistakes and go into next weekend to Columbus and put our best foot forward to get a result there.”
The Fire head to Columbus next Saturday to take on the Crew. Kickoff is at 6:30pm CT on Apple TV.
For more of Amanda Cortese’s photos from Saturday, please click on the link.
SCORING SUMMARY:
CIN-Aaron Boupendza (unassisted) 39
CHI-Xherdan Shaqiri (penalty kick) 45
CIN-Miles Robinson (Acosta) 68
BOOKING SUMMARY:
CIN-Owinna Nwobodo (caution, tactical foul) 43
CHI-Kellyn Acosta (caution, tactical foul) 55
CHI-Mauricio Pineda (caution, tactical foul) 66
CIN-Sergio Santos (caution, tactical foul) 81
CIN-Corey Baird (caution, delaying a restart) 84
CHI-Brian Gutierrez (caution, reckless foul) 90+4
CHICAGO FIRE (3-4-2-1): #34-Chirs Brady; #5-Rafael Czichos, #22-Mauricio Pineda, #27-Allan Arigoni; #21-Fabian Herbers (#19-Giorgios Koutsias 74), #30-Gaston Gimenez, #23-Kellyn Acosta (#31-Federico Navarro 74), #7-Maren Haile-Selassie; #17-Brian Gutierrez, #10-Xherdan Shaqiri (#8-Chris Mueller 86); #9-Hugo Cuypers
Subs not used: #18-Spencer Richey, #16-Wyatt Omsberg, #8-Chris Mueller, #77-Chase Gaspar, #12-Tom Barlow, #24-Jonathan Dean, #14-Tomas Salquist
FC CINCINNATI (3-4-1-2): #18-Roman Celentano; #32-Ian Murphy, #21-Matt Miazga, #12-Miles Robinson; #7-Yuya Kubo, #20-Pavel Bucha, #5-Owinna Nwobodo, #2-Alvas Powell (#15-Bret Halsey 63); #10-Luciano Acosta; #11-Corey Baird (#22-Gerardo Valenzuela 87), #9-Aaron Boupendza (#17-Sergio Santos 80)
Subs not used: #36-Evan Louro, #29-Arquimides Ordonez, #33-Isaiah Foster, #26-Malik Pinto, #37-Stiven Jimenez, #34-London Aghedo
EXPECTED GOALS: CHI 1.06-2.02 CIN
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 5-14 CIN
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 1-2 CIN
FOULS: CHI 16-12 CIN
OFFSIDES: CHI 1-3 CIN
CORNER KICKS: CHI 3-9 CIN
SAVES: CHI 0-0 CIN
Referee: Mario Maric
Assistant Referees: Sergio Santana, Rogerlio Alvarez
Fourth Official: Nikola Aleska
VAR: Frank Anderson
Weather: Mostly Clear and 53º
Attendance: 26,582
Man of the Match: Miles Robinson (CIN)
