MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Advance on Penalties in the U.S. Open Cup

Published on June 16, 2016 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - The Chicago Fire rallied from a 1-0 deficit in extra time to draw level 1-1 after 120 minutes and completed the comeback with a penalty-kick shootout victory against Indy Eleven on Wednesday at Toyota Park.

David Accam scored the goal that forced the shootout in the 111th minute. The Fire found themselves down again after missing their first penalty, but two saves by Matt Lampson spurred another comeback and the win.

Chicago held a 27-16 advantage in shots over 120 minutes against the first-half NASL champions. The Fire had the first golden chance of the match in the 22nd minute. Khaly Thiam found space inside the area on the left side and slid a cross to the far post. David Accam was open, but the ball took a bounce and the Ghanaian attacker couldn't keep down, instead rattling the crossbar.

Chicago continued on the front foot past the half-hour mark. Arturo Alvarez fed Accam in space, leading to a shot that Indy Eleven goalkeeper Jon Busch had to push out of bounds for a Fire corner.

The second half was much of the same with Chicago creating a multitude of chances. Kennedy Igboananike grazed the woodwork in the 75th minute with a left-footed blast from the top of the box. He had another look five minutes later, bursting past his man to create a tight window inside the box. The ensuing shot darted high of the frame.

Chicago continued to press late and nearly found the go-ahead goal in the 84th minute. Nick LaBrocca ran onto a free ball just inside the area, but sent his one-timed shot wide with Busch off his line. Three minutes later Accam beat his man and the goalkeeper, but his shot curled barely wide of the post. Igboananike had another look moments later at the edge of the area, but Busch picked the shot out of the air.

Razvan Cocis thought he had a potential game-winner in the 101st minute. The captain crushed a shot after Johan Kappelhof's cross was deflected and the ball was destined for the net if not for a lunging left-footed save by Busch.

Indy Eleven broke the deadlock in the 105th minute. Justin Braun did the damage with a left-footed blast to the far corner from inside the box to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the waning moments of the first overtime period.

Igboananike almost equalized in the 110th minute. Busch blocked a sizzling shot from LaBrocca and Igboananike had the next touch from 6 yards out. The Nigerian striker made good contact on the ball, but sent it wide left.

Accam broke through with an exceptional individual effort in the 111th minute. He darted past a defender into the box then danced around another before his left-footed shot deflected off an Indy Eleven player and into the net.

Indy Eleven converted their first penalty and Igboananike missed his high, but Lampson blocked the visitors' third and fourth attempts to give his team a chance. Conversions from Thiam, Brandon Vincent, LaBrocca and Accam sealed the win.

The Fire will discover their opponent and location for the Round of 16 at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday, June 16. Each remaining team will also learn their potential quarterfinal pairings in a draw conducted by the United States Soccer Federation. Fans can keep track of that draw live on Twitter by following @OpenCup.

The Men in Red return to MLS action on Saturday, June 18 against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium. Kickoff is 8 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago Plus and 97.5 FM Poder.

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Major League Soccer Stories from June 16, 2016


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