Chicago Fire Fall 2-1 at Real Salt Lake
August 5, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release
SANDY, Utah - The Chicago Fire (6-13-5, 23 points) received a memorable second half goal from Bastian Schweinsteiger, but ultimately fell by a 2-1 score on the road against Real Salt Lake (10-9-4, 34 points) Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Damir Kreilach opened scoring for Real Salt Lake with his header in the third minute of first half stoppage time.
The Fire equalized in the 48th minute courtesy of a right-footed blast from distance by Bastian Schweinsteiger. The German midfielder now has four goals to go along with six assists in 2018.
Kreilach scored his second of the evening in the 75th minute to give the hosts the 2-1 lead.
Second year goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland made his MLS debut on Saturday, tallying eight saves and featuring for the full 90 minutes.
The Fire next travel to face the Philadelphia Union in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. CT at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa.
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Postgame Reactions: Click Here
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Veljko Paunovic - Head Coach, Chicago Fire
Thoughts on the match:
"We always play to win, no matter who steps on the field. We always require that everyone give their best and play to win, so that's not an excuse. Overall the whole game, we were organized and it was a good game. Our guys fought to the very end, we gave our best like always. We also had a good opponent in front of us. They did well in those two goals and we just didn't perform well defensively. You have to pay for those mistakes, unfortunately. It's always difficult to lose, but we have to turn our focus to the next game which is the Open Cup this Wednesday. There is no turning back, from now on we have to focus on the semifinals and that's it. We wanted to get three points from here and I think we were close. I liked our team and most of the game we were a very good opponent. We just couldn't be consistent defensively and we gave up a couple of goals that cost us too much. We just move forward."
Stefan Cleveland - Goalkeeper, Chicago Fire
On making his MLS debut:
"It was a great experience. It's great to get the first game out of the way, it's a little bit of a relief to have one game under my belt and have a little bit of experience going forward now. I think the team deserved a little bit more, it's a disappointing result but I think I can take this and build upon it."
Chicago Fire 1:2 Real Salt Lake
Aug. 4, 2018 - Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 19,817
Scoring Summary:
RSL - Damir Kreilach (Jefferson Savarino) 45+3'
CHI - Bastian Schweinsteiger (Drew Conner) 48'
RSL - Damir Kreilach (Joao Plata, Jefferson Savarino) 75'
Misconduct Summary:
CHI - Drew Conner (caution) 55'
RSL - Marcelo Silva (caution) 90'
CHI - Bastian Schweinsteiger (caution) 90+6'
Chicago Fire: Stefan Cleveland; Diego Campos (Nicolas Hasler 32'), Kevin Ellis, Jonathan Campbell, Brandon Vincent, Jorge Corrales (Bastian Schweinsteiger HT); Raheem Edwards (Aleksandar Katai 69'), Drew Conner, Tony Tchani, Luis Solignac; Alan Gordon ©
Subs not used: Richard Sánchez; Mo Adams, Brandt Bronico, Nemanja NikoliÃâ¡
Shots: 11; Shots On-Goal: 4 Fouls: 14; Saves: 8; Offsides: 2; Corners: 4
Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando, Brooks Lennon, Marcelo Silva, Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera, Joao Plata, Albert Rusnak (Nick Besler 90+5'), Kyle Beckerman ©, Damir Kreilach, Jefferson Savarino (Sebastian Saucedo 90+2'), Corey Baird (Sunny 86')
Subs not used: Pablo Ruiz, Shawn Barry, Andrew Putna, Danilo Acosta
Shots: 15; Shots On-Goal: 10; Fouls: 4; Saves: 3; Offsides: 7; Corners: 7
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