Piece courtesy of Dan Gaichas of Windy City Soccer.
In the end, it’s just preseason, but the Chicago Fire do take the Simple Invitational with a 2-0 win over the defending MLS Cup Champion Portland Timbers at Providence Park in Portland. The Fire conclude preseason with a 5-0-1 record.
Portland had much of the attack in the first half, but the Fire would have both the goals. The first of them came in the 28th minute after Michael Harrington sent a cross into the box that was headed in by Arturo Alvarez for the opening score. Seven minutes later, Alvarez turned provider as his free kick found Gilberto who settled the ball and slotted it past Adam Kwarasey and into the net to make it 2-0.
Portland would have 16 corners in the match to the Fire’s six, but couldn’t generate anything from them. The closest they got was in the 75th minute when Matt Lampson, who was formally signed on Friday, made a save from a point-blank shot from Fanendo Adi. Lampson would make nine saves on the night.
“[Winning the tournament] feels great because we saw that we can [win],” said Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic. “The players, the guys, they did it great and they deserved it. They worked hard and they were a team. They followed the game plan, and all this means a lot before we start the season with the home opener against New York [City FC]; it’s going to be a great game. All of this is very promising and we are going to [continue to]prepare so our fans can cheer us at home and enjoy this season.”
There is definitely a different look to the Fire, and not just because of the new personnel both on the pitch and the technical area. Players are raving about Paunovic’s system.
“Pauno [Veljko Paunovic] has a very good style and system and it showed tonight,” said Fire midfielder Matt Polster. “We took a lot of pressure, but we bent and didn’t break. As long as we believe in the system and trust Pauno, I think we’ll be alright.”
“Pauno knows his stuff,” said Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson. “One of the things that Logan Pause mentioned is: it’s contagious. Everything in this locker room is contagious, whether it’s a winning attitude, which is what we’ve got … Pauno is so passionate about the game and it makes you want to play for him. When you have guys who are enjoying playing soccer, that’s a team that will come together and do great things.”
The real test begins on Sunday, March 6th at 1pm against New York City FC at Toyota Park. The match will be televised on CSN Chicago.
SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Arturo Alvarez (Harrington) 28
CHI-Gilberto (Alvarez) 35
BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-Joao Meira (caution) 4
POR-Zarek Valentin (caution) 21
POR-Jermaine Taylor (caution) 34
POR-Diego Chara (caution) 56
CHI-Matt Polster (caution) 81
CHI-Kennedy Igboananike (caution) 82
POR-Zarek Valentin (caution) 21
POR-Jermaine Taylor (caution) 34
POR-Diego Chara (caution) 56
CHI-Matt Polster (caution) 81
CHI-Kennedy Igboananike (caution) 82
PORTLAND TIMBERS: Adam Kwarasey, Alvas Powell, Nat Borchers, Jermaine Taylor, Zarek Valentin (Jack McInerney 75), Diego Chara, Diego Valeri (C), Darlington Nagbe, Dairon Asprilla (Ned Grabavoy 70), Lucas Melano, Fanendo Adi.
CHICAGO FIRE: Matt Lampson, Michael Harrington, Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira (Razvan Cocis 72), Jonathan Campbell, Brandon Vincent, ^John Goossens (Michael Stephens 81), Matt Polster (C), ^Arturo Alvarez (Joey Calistri 72), Kennedy Igboananike (Collin Fernandez 88), Gilberto (Rodrigo Ramos 88).
*Unsigned 2016 MLS SuperDraft pick
^Trialist
TOTAL SHOTS: POR 20-12 CHI
SHOTS ON GOAL: POR 9-8 CHI
FOULS: POR 17-8 CHI
CORNER KICKS: POR 16-6 CHI
SAVES: POR 6-9 CHI
