Chicago Fire Earn Late 1-0 Victory over Columbus Crew
Published on April 21, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release
CHICAGO, Ill. - The Chicago Fire (2-4-1, 7 points) defeated long-time Eastern Conference rivals Columbus Crew (2-2-3, 9 points) Saturday evening at Toyota Park. Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz scored his first goal in a Fire shirt, tallying the only goal of the match in the 83rd minute to give the Fire the 1-0 victory.
In the fourth minute, Crew defender Tyson Wahl sent in a free kick from 40 yards out to Chad Marshall, who headed it down for Agustin Viana who slid the ball in to goal but the goal was called offside.
After a scoreless first half, the Fire started the second with renewed vigor. In the 55th minute, Patrick Nyarko won the ball on the midfield line, spun his defender and headed towards goal. The fleet-footed Ghanaian found Chris Rolfe at the top of the 18 but the Kettering, Ohio native's left-footed shot went just wide.
In the 74th minute, Estonian international Joel Lindpere whipped in a corner kick that was headed out by Marshall. The clearance fell to Nyarko, who drove in a cross to a rising Austin Berry but his snap header was saved from crossing the line at the last second by Gruenebaum.
The Fire's offensive pressure would pay dividends in the 83rd minute. Defender Jalil Anibaba sent a long throw to Berry, who flicked the ball on for Larentowicz at the top of the penalty box. The Philadelphia, Penn. product nodded the ball past Gruenebaum to give the Fire the 1-0 lead.
Deep into stoppage time, the Crew won a free kick 40 yards form goal. Federico Higuain whipped in a free kick that found Chad Marshall, but his header went just wide of Sean Johnson's goal. The Men in Red next head to Montreal to take on the Impact at Stade Saputo on Saturday, April 27 at 3:00 p.m. CT (NBC Sports Network/107.9 La Ley). The Fire return to Toyota Park when they welcome the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, May 11 at 12:30 p.m. CT (NBC Sports Network/107.9 La Ley). Tickets for the match are available by calling 888-MLS-Fire or by visiting www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Major League Soccer Stories from April 21, 2013
- Philadelphia Union Earn 3-2 Victory over D.C. United - Philadelphia Union
- Andy Gruenebaum Nearly Carries Crew to a Point - Columbus Crew SC
- Three Points: LA Galaxy on Point in Victory over Sporting - LA Galaxy
- Galaxy victorious - LA Galaxy
- Sporting KC Falls 2-0 at LA Galaxy - Sporting Kansas City
- Fire burn Crew - Columbus Crew SC
- Real Salt Lake Downs Chivas USA 1-0 - Real Salt Lake
- Chicago Fire Earn Late 1-0 Victory over Columbus Crew - Chicago Fire FC
- 'Caps drop road match, host rematch next Saturday at BC Place - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Chivas USA Falls at RSL 1-0 - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Red Bulls over Revolution - New England Revolution
- FC Dallas Continues to Dominate at Home, Knocks off Vancouver, 2-0 - FC Dallas
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