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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire FC Falls 3-1 to New York City FC

August 29, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


HARRISON, N.J. - Chicago Fire FC (2-5-1, 7 points) fell 3-1 to New York City FC (3-5-0, 9 points) at Red Bull Arena on Saturday night.

New York City FC took the lead in the 16th minute when midfielder Alexandru Mitrita slipped through a ball to Keaton Parks who guided his low shot inside the far post giving NYCFC the lead.

Chicago Fire FC Homegrown player Mauricio Pineda scored his second MLS goal to pull the teams even just before the end of the first half.

NYCFC came out strong in the second half as Anton Tinnerholm connected onto a pass from substitute Maxi Moralez in the 53rd minute to make it 2-1.

The Fire nearly equalized a second time in the 74th minute, but Alex Callens cleared Elliot Collier's attempt off the line after a miscommunication between Callens and goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

One minute later, after two nice moves by Tinnerholm to evade Fire defenders, Alexander Ring slotted home a right-footed shot to secure the full three points for the home team.

Next on the schedule: Chicago Fire FC will remain on the road to take on FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The match will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on WGN-TV and ESPN+ and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200AM. The pregame show, presented by CIBC, will begin at 6:15 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

Social: Twitter - @chicagofire, @vamosfire | Instagram - @chicagofire | Facebook

Notes:

Chicago debuted a 'Frontline Heroes' patch to show appreciation for Chicago's medical personnel and essential workers for their service throughout the pandemic. The patch is part of the 2020 'Stand for Chicago' patch series in which the Fire sport custom-designed patches on the jocktag location of the team's jerseys. For more information on the series, click here .

Defender Francisco Calvo captained the Fire and wore a captain's armband that represents the Black Lives Matter movement. The armband was designed by Chicago-based artist and former Northwestern student-athlete Dwight White. For more information on the design, click here. Calvo has worn the captain's armband in all eight games this season.

Goalkeeper Connor Sparrow made his MLS and Fire debut in Saturday's match, starting and playing the full 90 minutes. On a night honoring Frontline Heroes, Sparrow is a registered nurse in Tennessee and Utah. Sparrow's sister is also a nurse in their hometown of St. Louis.

Fire Homegrown Mauricio Pineda scored his second goal of the season. His first goal, a game winner, came against Seattle in the team's opening game at the MLS is Back tournament on July 14.

Captain Francisco Calvo earned his first assist of the season and the seventh of his MLS career.

Midfielder Álvaro Medrán recorded his second assist of the season.

Midfielder Ignacio Aliseda was named the Man of the Match.

NYCFC GK Sean Johnson played for the Fire from 2010-2016.

Goals:

NYCFC - Keaton Parks 16th minute (WATCH): Alexandru Mitrita found Keaton Parks making a run into the box. Parks guided his low shot inside the far post. Parks paid tribute to "Black Panther" actor Chadwick Boseman, who died Friday, with a "Wakanda Forever" celebration.

CHI - Mauricio Pineda 45+2 minute (WATCH): A corner kick by Álvaro Medrán curled in off a flick from Francisco Calvo that fell to an open Mauricio Pineda. The Chicago Homegrown took a touch with his left foot to level the match.

NYCFC - Anton Tinnerholm 53rd minute (WATCH): NYCFC star midfielder Maxi Moralez, who returned from a nagging calf injury, set up Tinnerholm on the right side of the box, scoring in a similar fashion to the first goal, beating the goalkeeper far side.

NYCFC - Alexander Ring 75th minute (WATCH): Ring scored for a second consecutive game off an assist from Tinnerholm to put the game away.

Key attacking plays:

CHI - Fabian Herbers 7th minute (WATCH): Fabian Herbers intercepted the ball in the middle of the park and immediately went on the attack. The midfielder fired a long-range strike that required Sean Johnson to parry it away.

CHI - Fabian Herbers 21st minute (WATCH): Ignacio Aliseda dribbled into New York territory and played a ball to Herbers who fired a right-footed shot from the left side of the box that was saved by Johnson.

CHI - Robert Berić 45+1 minute (WATCH): Ignacio Aliseda cut his defender and made his way to the touchline to find an open Robert Berić in the box. Berić sent a quick left-footed shot to the near post, forcing Johnson to make a kick save.

CHI - Elliot Collier 74th minute (WATCH): After a miscommunication between NYCFC defender Alexander Callens and goalkeeper Sean Johnson, Collier had his shot from just outside the 18 yard box cleared off the line by Callens.

Stops and key defensive plays:

CHI - Connor Sparrow 2nd minute (WATCH): Mitrita slipped in a ball to Héber and the Fire goalkeeper reacted quickly making the save with his left foot.

CHI - Connor Sparrow 39th minute (WATCH): Mitrita cut inside and Sparrow made a diving save on the powerful shot.

Box score:

New York City 3:1 Chicago Fire FC

Scoring Summary:

NYCFC - Parks (1) (Mitrita 2) 16'

CHI - Pineda (2) (Calvo 1, Medrán 2) 45+2'

NYCFC - Tinnerholm (1) (Moralez 1) 53'

NYCFC - Ring (2) (Tinnerholm 1) 75'

Misconduct Summary:

NYCFC - Sands (Caution) 37'

CHI - Frankowski (Caution) 42'

NYCFC - Callens (Caution) 83'

CHI - Calvo (Caution) 90+1'

Chicago Fire FC: GK Sparrow, D Sekulić (M Azira 85'), D Calvo ©, D Pineda, D Navarro, M Frankowski (M Gutiérrez 85'), M Herbers (D Bornstein 71'), M Giménez, M Medrán (D Bronico 84'), F Berić ( F Collier 66'), F Aliseda

Subs not used: GK Slonina, D Omsberg, D Reynolds II, M Mihailović

Shots: 12 Shots on goal: 6 Fouls: 7 Offsides: 2 Corners: 8 Possession: 44.3%

New York City FC: GK Johnson, D Matarrita (D Thorarinsson 79'), D Callens, D Chanot, D Tinnerholm, M Sands (M Acevedo 88'), M Parks, M Ring ©, F Mitrita (M Moralez HT), F Heber (F Castellanos 66'), F Medina (F Mackay-Steven 79')

Subs not used: GK Stuver, D Scally, M Rocha, F Tajouri-Shradi

Shots: 19 Shots on goal: 7 Fouls: 13 Offsides: 3 Corners: 8 Possession: 55.7%

Referee: Rubiel Vasquez

Assistant Referees: Logan Square, Ian McKay

Fourth Official: Thomas Snyder

VAR: Chris Penso

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