Chicago at San Jose Photo Gallery
by Dan Gaichas, Windy City Soccer
I can honestly say that I have never seen this many people, both nationally and locally so down on the Chicago Fire. The most damning comment from Sunday came from Alexi Lalas during the Fox Sports 1 broadcast. Lalas said that Harry Shipp, undoubtedly the best player for the Fire on the night, was “almost too good” for the Fire. Lalas spent most of the broadcast trying hard not to be too negative on the Fire.
For the first time in their history, the Chicago Fire begin a season with three defeats. This latest one was a 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes in the inaugural match at Avaya Stadium in front of 18,000 fans. It is also the Fire’s 15th loss in their last 19 games in the Pacific Time Zone (1-15-3).
The Fire got off to an inauspicious start just five minutes in. Sean Johnson went off his line to parry away a corner ball and did not get to in. Ty Harden did, flicked it to Clarence Goodson, who flicked it to Abdul-Fatai Alashe for the opening score.
Johnson again would be partially at fault for the Quakes’ second goal in the 21st minute. A free kick from Matias Perez Garcia was headed by JJ Koval. Johnson made the save, but coughed up a rebound and Ty Harden was there for the rebound. It’s his first career goal in his 100th match.
The Fire finally got on the board for the season eight minutes later as Joevin Jones sent a thru-ball to Harry Shipp who beat David Bingham far post. Eric Gehrig nearly equalized a couple minutes later off a corner, but Bingham punched the shot over the bar. That would be as close as they got to equalizing for the remainder of the match.
David Accam made his debut at the start of the second half and played 45 minutes and showed flashes of brilliance.
The Fire return home next Sunday against Philadelphia. Kickoff is at 4pm on ESPN2.
Serious questions are being asked of this club and Frank Yallop needs to find answers as soon as possible. Otherwise, he’ll have to answer to an already disgruntled Fire faithful.
Chicago Fire
MLS Eastern
SCORING SUMMARY:
SJ-Abdul Fatai Alashe (Goodson, Harden) 5’
SJ-Ty Harden (unassisted) 21’
CHI-Harry Shipp (Jones) 29’
BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-Matt Polster (caution, persistent infringement) 26’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (4-2-3-1): #1-David Bingham; #4-Marvell Wynne, #44-Clarence Goodson, #2-Ty Harden, #20-Shaun Francis; #27-Abdul-Fatai Alashe, #15-JJ Koval; #17-Sanna Nyassi (#7-Cordell Cato 87’), #10-Matias Perez Garcia (#14-Adam Jahn 83’), #11-Innocent Emeghara (#6-Shea Salinas 76’); #8-Chris Wondolowski (C)
Subs not used: #13-Bryan Meredith, #80-Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi, #23-Leandro Barrera, #22-Tommy Thompson
CHICAGO FIRE (4-1-4-1): #25-Sean Johnson; #6-Eric Gehrig, #20-Jeff Larentowicz (C), #4-Adailton, #5-Lovel Palmer; #2-Matt Polster; #19-Harry Shipp, #26-Michael Stephens (#77-Kennedy Igboananike 67’), #10-Shaun Maloney, #3-Joevin Jones (#11-David Accam 46’); #24-Quincy Amarikwa (#23-Guly do Prado 74’)
Subs not used: #18-Jon Busch, #7-Alex, #8-Matt Watson, #21-Chris Ritter
TOTAL SHOTS: SJ 13-12 CHI
SHOTS ON GOAL: SJ 6-4 CHI
FOULS: SJ 14-17 CHI
OFFSIDES: SJ 3-2 CHI
CORNER KICKS: SJ 9-3 CHI
SAVES: SJ 3-4 CHI
Referee: Ricardo Salazar
Referee’s Assistants: Ian Anderson, Mike Kampmeinert
Fourth Official: Allen Chapman
Attendance: 18,000
Man of the Match: Ty Harden (SJ)
