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Red Bulls Fall, 2-0, to Chicago Fire

October 6, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - New York Red Bulls News Release


HARRISON, NJ (Oct. 6, 2012) - The New York Red Bulls dropped a 2-0 decision to the Chicago Fire Saturday afternoon at Red Bull Arena in front of 21,157 spectators. Chicago forward Sherjill MacDonald scored both goals for the second place Fire. New York stayed at 53 points off a 15-9-8 record, good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

With a playoff spot on the line, the Red Bulls will next take on first place Sporting Kansas City in the team's regular season home finale on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 7:00 PM at Red Bull Arena. Tickets are available for the match by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com

Chicago tried to open up the scoring in the sixth minute, as Chris Rolfe fired a shot that New York goalkeeper Luis Robles parried before he smothered the rebound. Twenty one minutes later on the other end, forward Thierry Henry chested a Kenny Cooper pass down inside the box and his right-footed volley was blocked at the last second by a Fire player.

In the 33rd minute, Red Bull Dax McCarty ripped a one-timer from long range that beat goalkeeper Sean Johnson and skipped past the right post. Then, with a minute left in the first half, Fire midfielder Alvaro Fernandez's header off a Jalil Anibaba cross went over the bar.

Both teams traded jabs after the break. Chicago's Arne Friedrich got a shot off in the box that was blocked by Robles. On the other end, Henry again had his attempt on goal deflected out. Seconds later, New York's Tim Cahill headed Henry's ensuing corner kick straight into Johnson's arms.

The visitors took the lead in the 65th minute. Rolfe had possession in the midfield and played a well-weighted through ball to an on-rushing MacDonald. MacDonald drove towards goal and ripped it over Robles and into the back of the net.

New York nearly tied the game up six minutes after MacDonald's opening strike. Joel Lindpere had the ball on the left wing and his in-swinger was met by Kenny Cooper, who redirected it just wide. Moments later, Cooper made space from 20 yards out and rifled it right.

MacDonald doubled his personal tally and the Fire's lead with 12 minutes left to play. Daniel Paladini slid a pass to the onside Dutchman and he rolled it in to secure his brace.


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