MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Clipped by Columbus Crew 2-1

Published on May 26, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Chicago Fire (5-4-3, 18 points) gave a hard fought performance in front of 600 traveling supporters, but Austin Berry's 72nd minute goal was not enough to overcome goals from Eddie Gaven and Emilio Renteria giving the Columbus Crew (5-4-3, 18 points) a 2-1 victory at Crew Stadium Saturday night. It was the first time that the Fire had lost to an Eastern Conference opponent since May 21, 2011, a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia.

The Crew took an early lead as defender Shaun Francis squared a ball to Gaven at the top of the 18-yard box. Gaven took two touches before unleashing a low driven shot that beat Sean Johnson to the near post in the 9th minute.

The Fire nearly equalized in the 41st minute as Patrick Nyarko intercepted a Francis pass and took it in on goal. With only Crew 'keeper Andy Gruenebaum to beat the crafty Ghanaian pushed his shot on goal just wide left of frame.

Moments later, Emilio Renteria doubled the lead for the home side just before halftime. Francis once against started the buildup on the left side of the field, feeding Gaven up the flank. Gaven slotted a ball to Renteria with his back to goal where the sizable Venezuelan shucked Fire defender Austin Berry before blasting a shot past Johnson at the far post to give the Crew a 2-0 lead on 43 minutes.

Frank Klopas made two changes to infuse the Fire offense to start the second half bringing Dominic Oduro and Orr Barouch on for Marco Pappa and Federico Puppo, respectively. The change almost played immediate dividends as Rafael Robayo played Oduro into space in the Crew box. The Fire forward measured his shot on goal but Gruenebaum came off his line to parry Oduro's shot in the 46th minute.

The Fire pulled one back in the 71st minute when Daniel Paladini collected a Crew clearance on the left side before whipping in a cross that Berry elevated to meet and head the ball past Gruenebaum to cut the Crew's lead in half.

The Men in Red, playing in their third match in seven days, continued to push the game in search of the tying goal. In the 85th minute Fire defender Dan Gargan sent in a driven cross that Orr Barouch headed wide right of goal. The pressure lasted well into added time, but the Crew held on as the Fire fell to their Eastern Conference rivals.

The Fire's Midwestern road swing will continue as the Men in Red play their fourth game in 10 days in the fourth different city when they begin the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against the Michigan Bucks at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich. on Tuesday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. CT live on Chicago-Fire.com. The Fire will resume MLS action when they take on the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. CT live on CSN and 97.5 ESPN Deportes. Chicago Fire Season Tickets are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473), via Ticketmaster or by heading to the club's official website at Chicago-Fire.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 26, 2012


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