Chicago Fire 1-0 New York Red Bulls
BRIDGEVIEW, IL–The Fire needed a win to end a three-match home stand on a positive note, and got it through some luck and a much-improved defensive stance defeating New York Red Bulls by the odd goal, 1-0.
We do mean ‘odd’ on the goal in the 48th minute. Nemanja Nikolic high-kicked a ball the Red Bulls were unable to clear. It went off the post and then off Tim Parker and over the line before he could clear it for the only score of the match.
The Fire had chances to take the lead before that and to add to the lead after it, but Luis Robles made two excellent saves and were wide of target on three others.
The Fire were well in control for most of the match despite a makeshift lineup in the back of sorts given injuries to Raheem Edwards (knee) and Jorge Corrales (groin) and the waiving of Nicolas Hasler. Bastian Schweinsteiger was inserted at center back while Johan Kappelhof and Marcello shifted duties on the right side and homegrown player Jeremiah Gutjahr making his first team debut at left back.
“It was a pretty unbelievable experience just being able to play in front of the fans with this group of guys,” said Gutjahr. “It’s hard to put it into words. It’s a joy that you can feel but it’s hard to put it into words and say what it means. But, it was just fantastic to get the three points with this group of guys.
“I think I was just telling myself to lock in every single second, every minute. So once the final whistle blew I was like ‘We got the job done.’ But I was just trying to tell myself it’s a simple game. It’s the same game just at another level so that’s kind of how I approached it.”
Another impressive player for the Fire on the pitch was Mo Adams who was recalled from his loan spell at USL Championship side Memphis 905 FC. Adams won Man of the Match honors through his stellar play alongside Dax McCarty in defensive midfield.
“We played a scrimmage last week against Lansing (Ignite of USL League One) and [Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic said] that’s an area in which we may be lacking, so we need you and it plays to your strength to try and hold it tight,” said Adams.
It was very effective as the Fire held Red Bulls to just one shot on goal for the whole match despite the latter’s 64-36 advantage in possession.
Nicolas Gaitan came on as a substitute and played 27 minutes to get him acclimated with MLS. Fire fans will be optimistic about this addition to an already improved attack force and they will need him next Saturday against high-flying Toronto FC and Alejandro Pozuelo. Kickoff is at 2pm CT next Saturday.
SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Tim Parker (own goal) 49
BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-CJ Sapong (caution, persistent infringement) 47
CHICAGO FIRE (4-2-3-1): #1-David Ousted; #19-Mo Adams, #4-Johan Kappelhof, #2-Marcelo, #33-Jeremiah Gutjahr; #31-Bastian Schweinsteiger, #6-Dax McCarty; #9-CJ Sapong, #10-Aleksandar Katai (#20-Nicolas Gaitan 63), #11-Przemyslaw Frankowski; #23-Nemanja Nikolic (#14-Djordje Mihailovic 80)
Subs not used: #30-Stefan Cleveland, #15-Grant Lillard, #12-Amando Moreno, #13-Brandt Bronico, #17-Diego Campos
NEW YORK RED BULLS (4-2-3-1): #31-Luis Robles; #62-Michael Murillo, #26-Tim Parker, #33-Aaron Long, #92-Kemar Lawrence (#5-Connor Lade 81); #27-Sean Davis, #90-Marc Rzatkowski (#25-Mathias Jorgensen 71); #19-Alex Muyl, #10-Alejandro Romero Garcia, #77-Daniel Royer (#9-Andreas Ivan 61); #99-Bradley Wright-Phillips
Subs not used: #18-Ryan Meara, #3-Amro Tarek, #88-Vincent Bezecourt, #23-Cristian Casseres Jr.
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 11-7 NY
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 4-1 NY
FOULS: CHI 18-11 NY
OFFSIDES: CHI 2-3 NY
CORNER KICKS: CHI 8-6 NY
SAVES: CHI 1-4 NY
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Assistant Referees: Jeff Hosking, Brian Dunn
Fourth Official: Farhad Dadkho
VAR: Fotis Bazakos
Weather: Cloudy and 43º
Attendance: 12,013
Man of the Match: Mo Adams (CHI)
Chicago Fire
