MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Fall 3-0 at Toronto FC

Published on July 28, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


TORONTO - The Chicago Fire (6-12-5, 23 points) fell 3-0 to Toronto FC (6-11-4, 21 points) on Saturday night at BMO Field in Toronto.

The hosts took full points via three second half goals, getting on the board first in the 52nd minute via Jozy Altidore's right-footed finish from close range. Jonathan Osorio doubled the lead for Toronto in the 72nd minute and Sebastian Giovinco added a third for Toronto in the 89th minute.

The Fire next travel to face Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 9 p.m. CT (ESPN+/Univision Radio WRTO AM 1200). Coverage begins at 8:45 p.m. CT with a live pregame show on ESPN+ presented by CIBC.

Quotes:

Veljko Paunovic - Head Coach, Chicago Fire

Thoughts on the game:

"I think it's a tough loss. We have to do a good job now to support and recover our guys. It's not anything lost yet, we still have options and we depend on ourselves, so we have to pick it up, we have to fix the things that we have to improve, and I'm confident we still have the season to play and we still have the Open Cup which is very important for our club. So we will do our best definitely and keep trying to improve and get better and always be competitive and compete for every game, to win every game."

On what was the turning point in the game:

"There was a switch at halftime and I think we lost the consistency in our defense and all the credit to Toronto's qualities. We still believe we could do better in our defensive shape, which in the first half was very good, we did well and the break in halftime didn't help for the second consecutive time against Toronto. We have to keep our concentration and focus, especially in moments when we're starting the game and the moments where we're starting the second half and that's where so far we're very vulnerable, so we have to improve."

On creating chances:

"We lacked precision in the final third. We created good situations but didn't find the last pass, the last touch. That's very important in games like this, against teams like Toronto you have to execute well and do better on the offensive side. It's not only one side, you can't defend all the time if you don't attack and don't take advantage of your opportunities. So that's something that we also have to improve."

On looking forward to the match against Real Salt Lake:

"We have to support our guys we have to recover well and we have to prepare for the next game. Next game is always the next opportunity and we always look forward, learn from mistakes and look at what we can improve but what's behind, we cannot fix it. We can only do what is in front of us. We're targeting the next game, it's an important game, another final. That's how we will play until the end of the season."

Brandt Bronico - Midfielder, Chicago Fire

Thoughts on the game:

"I think we executed our game plan well in the first half. Think they switched formation and we didn't adjust to it well enough and it ended up hurting us and after first goal we kind of let our guard down and didn't show enough character to be honest."

On looking ahead to the next game:

"We need to learn from our mistakes, kind of redundant. Now it's the next game. We have to go to Salt Lake, have a fresh start and fresh mindset and need to win some games."

Chicago Fire 0:3 Toronto FC

July 28, 2018 - BMO Field

Attendance: 29,190

Scoring Summary:

TOR - Jozy Altidore (unassisted) 52'

TOR - Jonathan Osorio (Sebastian Giovinco, Victor Vazquez) 72'

TOR - Sebastian Giovinco (Ayo Akinola) 89'

Misconduct Summary:

CHI - Brandt Bronico (caution) 30'

TOR - Sebastian Giovinco (caution) 42'

TOR - Michael Bradley (caution) 63'

Chicago Fire: Richard Sánchez; Kevin Ellis, Johan Kappelhof, Brandon Vincent, Raheem Edwards; Bastian Schweinsteiger ©; Brandt Bronico (Mo Adams 56'), Nicolas Hasler; Aleksandar Katai (Alan Gordon 78'), Nemanja Nikolić, Diego Campos (Luis Solignac 64')

Subs not used: Stefan Cleveland; Jonathan Campbell, Rafael Ramos; Tony Tchani

Shots: 7; Shots On-Goal: 3 Fouls: 16; Saves: 4; Offsides: 0; Corners: 3

Toronto FC: Alex Bono, Gregory van der Wiel, Eriq Zavaleta, Chris Mavinga, Justin Morrow, Victor Vazquez (Nick Hagglund 82'), Ashtone Morgan (Marco Delgado HT), Jonathan Osorio, Michael Bradley ©, Jozy Altidore (Ayo Akinola 80'), Sebastian Giovinco

Subs not used: Clint Irwin, Liam Fraser, Jordan Hamilton, Ryan Telfer

Shots: 20; Shots On-Goal: 8; Fouls:10; Saves: 3; Offsides: 1; Corners: 6

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

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