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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire FC Falls 3-1 to Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

April 24, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


ATLANTA - Playing its first away match of the 2021 season, Chicago Fire FC (0-1-1, 1 point) fell 3-1 to Atlanta United FC (1-0-1, 4 points) in a high-energy contest at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After falling behind in the first half from Atlanta midfielder Ezequiel Barco's long-range strike, the Fire equalized one minute into the second half when midfielder Luka Stojanović scored his second goal in a Fire shirt. However, Atlanta managed to regain the lead in the 66th minute via an own goal, before adding a third when midfielder Emerson Hyndman scored with five minutes left in the match.

NEXT GAME: Chicago Fire FC will head to Harrison, N.J. to take on the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, May 1 at Red Bull Arena. The match will begin at 12:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on WGN-TV and CFFC Live/ChicagoFireFC.com. The match will also be transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200AM.

Social: Twitter - @chicagofire, @vamosfire (Hashtags: #CFFC, #VamosFire) | Instagram - @chicagofire | Facebook

NOTES:

Stojanović notched his second straight game with a goal when he found the back of the net in the 46th minute. With two goals in two games to start the season, Stojanović leads the Fire in goals scored in 2021.

Sekulić recorded the assist on Stojanović's goal, tallying his second assist of the season. Sekulić, who was named Heineken Man of the Match for his performance, has four career assists in MLS play.

The Fire hit the post three times in tonight's contest. In addition to the chances off the woodwork from Frankowski and Berić in the ninth and 30th minutes, the Fire struck the post again in the 82nd minute when Berić chipped Guzan with a looping effort.

Tonight's match marks the first time the Fire has lost to Atlanta United since June 1, 2019. Entering tonight's game, the Fire was riding a two-game winning streak against the Five Stripes, including a 7-1 advantage in goals scored.

Head coach Raphael Wicky employed the same starting lineup as the team's season opener - a 2-2 draw against the New England Revolution at Soldier Field on April 17.

With a start in tonight's match, goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth recorded his 200th regular season start in MLS. Shuttleworth, who has made 19 starts for the Fire, originally began his career with the New England Revolution in 2009.

Defender Jhon Espinoza made his MLS debut in tonight's match, entering the match in 87th minute for midfielder Chinonso Offor.

Midfielder Gastón Giménez faced his former manager Gabriel Heinze for the first time in MLS today. Giménez previously played for Heinze at Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield in Argentina's first division from 2018-2020, before joining the Fire. Heize became Atlanta's third head coach in Club history on Dec. 18, 2020.

Fire Homegrown midfielder Alex Monis was named to the team's 20-man gameday roster for the first time in his career. Monis, 18, became the 18th Homegrown Player signing on Club history on March 11, 2020.

Box Score:

Chicago Fire FC 1:3 Atlanta United FC

Goals:

ATL - Barco (1) (WATCH) 23'

CHI - Stojanović (2) (Sekulić 2, Calvo 1) (WATCH) 46'

ATL - Own Goal (WATCH) 65'

ATL - Hyndman (1) (WATCH) 85'

Discipline:

ATL - Mulraney (Yellow Card - Foul) 27'

ATL - Barco (Yellow Card - Foul) 70'

ATL - Hyndman (Yellow Card - Foul) 81'

Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Sekulić, D Kappelhof, D Calvo ©, D Bornstein, M Medrán, M Giménez, M Frankowski, M Stojanović, M Offor (Espinoza 87'), F Berić

Subs not used: GK G. Slonina, D Omsberg, D Terán, D Reynolds II, D/M Pineda, M Casas Jr., M Gutiérrez, M Monis

Atlanta United FC: GK Guzan ©, D Lennon (Gurr HT), D Robinson, D Walkes, D Bello, M Barco (M Ibarra 88'), M Sosa, M Hyndman, F Mulraney, F L. López (F Martínez 67'), F Moreno (M Damm 67')

Subs not used: GK Lundgaard, D Franco, D Ambrose, F E. López, F Torres

Stats Summary: CHI / ATL

Shots: 12 / 18

Shots on Goal: 6 / 6

Saves: 4 / 5

Passing Accuracy: 77.7% / 83.7%

Corners: 4 / 6

Fouls: 25 / 10

Offsides: 1 / 1

Possession: 63% / 37%

Attendance: 20,335

Referee: Allen Chapman

Assistant Referees: Eric Weisbrod, Jeremy Kieso

Fourth Official: Sergi Demianchuk

VAR: Alejandro Mariscal, Ian McKay

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