BRIDGEVIEW, IL—Slowly, but surely, John Goossens is returning to his form from preseason that had Fire fans optimistic then and perhaps now. His goal in the 58th minute was the difference as the Fire emerged 1-0 winners over the San Jose Earthquakes at Toyota Park.
Goossens pounced on a bad clearance and his shot went through the legs of Kennedy Igboananike and squeezed between Mark Bingham and the post for the only score of the match.
“It’s hard to say, it’s in one action,” said Goossens of the goal. “I think the ball went to Kennedy [Igboananike] and came back to me. The ball comes to you and you try to hit it on goal. I think it was hard for the goalie to see the ball because Kennedy stepped over it, so he was a bit late to react, that’s why it went in. I think it was the perfect time to score. We had a good game, we had a lot of pressure on their back, and at the end I think it was a great evening.”
It was one of a few nutmegs by Goossens on the night as San Jose struggled with him and Rodrigo Ramos all night.
The Earthquakes has a 59-41 lead on possession, but could only muster two shots on goal. The closest of the two was at the hour mark when a shot by Alberto Quintero was kick-saved by Sean Johnson.
Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic praised his goal scorer, but stressed the need to keep up the momentum as they head to Toronto, next Saturday.
“I think of course he was not only the one who scored the goal but he played a great game together with the rest of the guys,” said Paunovic. “It was the game plan that we had and I think it was a fantastic evening. Very, very passionate, very hard game. Lot of opportunities. I think we created more but also I think San Jose played a very good game and they’re always dangerous. I think they’re a very good team and having said that, I think we have the hero of the game for sure sitting here, for scoring the goal and his play afterwards.
“I know it was very hard for him. He was injured for a long time and now coming back and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, for him it is very important. But we have to keep in mind, next week we have to recover and prepare for the next game. We need another win, that’s our message. And the job is not done. It’s just starting actually. We have to take advantage of this momentum, of this great spirit that we created in the last two games. I’m especially thankful to our fans who especially today, supported the team, suffered with the team when we suffered and in the end we culminated with a great victory.”
The Fire try to end their long road winless streak on Saturday, July 9th, when they take on Toronto FC at 6:30pm CT on CSN Chicago.
SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-John Goossens (unassisted) 58
BOOKING SUMMARY:
SJ-Simon Dawkins (caution, reckless tackle) 10
SJ-Shaun Francis (caution, reckless tackle) 50
CHI-Michael Stephens (caution, tactical foul) 53
SJ-Fatai Alashe (caution, tactical foul) 64
CHI-Nick LaBrocca (caution, tactical foul) 93+
CHICAGO FIRE (4-3-3): #25-Sean Johnson; #13-Rodrigo Ramos (#5-Michael Harrington 79), #4-Johan Kappelhof, #16-Jonathan Campbell, #3-Brandon Vincent; #26-Michael Stephens, #66-Joao Meira, #19-Khaly Thiam (#30-Razvan Cocis 73); #7-John Goossens (#21-Nick LaBrocca 79), #77-Kennedy Igboananike, #11-David Accam
Subs not used: #28-Matt Lampson, #6-Eric Gehrig, #15-Joey Calistri, #12-Arturo Alvarez
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (4-2-3-1): #1-David Bingham; #2-Kofi Sarkodie (#19-Chad Barrett 76), #4-Marvell Wynne, #27-Abdul-Fatai Alashe, #20-Shaun Francis; #10-Matias Perez Garcia (#6-Shea Salinas 64), #30-Anibal Godoy, #49-Simon Dawkins, #91-Alberto Quintero (#7-Cordell Cato 70); #8-Chris Wondolowski (C), #25-Quincy Amarikwa
Subs not used: #28-Andrew Tarbell, #38-Matheus Silva, #22-Tommy Thompson, #11-Innocent
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 16-7 SJ
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 7-2 SJ
FOULS: CHI 16-12 SJ
OFFSIDES: CHI 2-0 SJ
CORNER KICKS: CHI 5-3 SJ
SAVES: CHI 2-6 SJ
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Referee’s Assistants: Kermit Quisenberry, Eric Boria
Fourth Official: Younes Marrakchi
Weather: Sunny and 69º
Attendance: 16,487
Man of the Match: John Goossens (CHI)
Chicago Fire
San Jose Earthquakes
