Kamara Brace Enough as Fire Hold Off Loons

CHICAGO, IL–Two first half goals from Kei Kamara was all the Chicago Fire needed for a 2-1 victory over the visiting Minnesota United FC at Soldier Field on Saturday night,

The Fire through its first four home matches is now 1-0-3 and moved up in the Eastern Conference standings at (2-1-3, 9 points), while Minnesota lost for the first time this season and now sits at (3-1-2, 11 points) in the Western Conference.

“We had an opportunity make a statement and very loud statement,” Chicago Fire head coach Ezra Hendrickson said. “(Minnesota) was one of the last undefeated teams. We wanted to get after it in the first half and we wanted our first home win. We put ourselves into a decent position and we didn’t want to lose points and didn’t want to see that happen. I have to tip my hat to those guys in (the locker room). No one gives us credit, and no one expects us to win games. But we block all that noise out with every day of training, put in the work, and it’s showing and paying off.”

Kamara, who recently arrived to the Fire, has now scored three goals with his two-goal effort on Saturday and has turned into a fan favorite to coach Hendrickson and other players.

“He brings us goals and he’s shown over the years that he knows how to score,” Hendrickson said. “He knows what runs to make and he knows how to help other players. Beyond that, he’s a leader man, he’s in the locker room and has had big moments. We have such a young group and he’s called the grandfather with most players 19 or 20, but he’s always there and puts his arms around the other guys. He’s out to help them out and give them advice. He’s been a great addition to this team.”

With the two goals scored by Kamara, he’s the highest active goal scorer in Major League Soccer with 142 and is now third on the all-time scoring list sitting three goals from Landon Donovan (145) and still chasing Chris Wondolowski (171).

“It was great to have a first start and a first win at home,” Kamara said. “For me it’s helping. I know that I’m not going to be the number one player all the time. When the time comes and the coach says you’re playing, I’m going to be ready for it. It’s great to have this achievement and great for Jaime (Moreno), Jeff Cunningham, they have all been there. and I respect all of them looking up to Chris Wondolowski. He was a player that played Division II soccer and we were the only ones that played Division II soccer. For us to be on a list like that is really good and it’s a big achievement.”

Kamara set the stage with the opening goal Saturday night with a shot that went off Minnesota United FC defender Miguel Tapias’s leg. Then, it found its way inside the post for a goal in the 24th minute of play for a 1-0 Fire lead, which had to be reviewed by VAR after the referee initially disallowed the goal for offside a few passes earlier.

In the 31st minute, Minnesota United FC had a free kick opportunity. Franco Fragapane sent a low kick to Robin Lod who sent a back-heel shot for the far post. Chicago’s keeper Chris Brady got a left hand on the ball and cleared it away for one of his five saves.

Chicago scored a second goal in the 37th minute, when Kamara redirected a diving header into the back of the net from a Arnoud Souquet service for a 2-0 advantage.

“I just wanted to help the team,” Kamara said. “When the coach (Hendrickson) told me that I was going to be playing up top, I knew the back line was strong and I knew I had to be a body and an outlet for the guys. I just wanted to be a problem as much as I can do.”

Minnesota Unted FC found a goal in the 57th minute off a Kevin Arriaga 30-yard free kick that went through the hands of Fie keeper Brady and made the score 2-1, but Brady made up for his mistake with two quality stops for Chicago during two shots by Minnesota in the 85th minute. Those saves were ones to ensure the victory for Chicago.

“We were second best in everything in the first half,” Minnesota United FC head coach Adrian Heath said. “Something developed that we were able to get back into the game, but our performance wasn’t perfect by any standards. We were second best in everything. It’s a little lesson for us and hopefully it doesn’t happen again.”

The Fire will host the Philadelphia Union next Saturday evening at 7:30 pm CT, while Minnesota United FC will entertain Orlando City FC also at 7:30 pm CT.

CHI-Kei Kamara (unassisted) 24

CHI-Kei Kamara (Arnoud Souquet) 36

MIN-Kevin Arriaga (unassisted) 57