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Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire FC Falls 4-3 to New York City FC

November 8, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


Chicago Fire FC forward Robert Beric (left) vs. New York City FC
Chicago Fire FC forward Robert Beric (left) vs. New York City FC
(Chicago Fire FC)

CHICAGO - Chicago Fire FC (5-10-8, 23 points) fell 4-3 to New York City FC (12-8-3, 39 points) in an action-packed Decision Day on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. With the loss, the Fire were eliminated from qualifying for the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.

In a first half that saw six goals scored, New York City struck first when Alexander Callens scored off a corner kick in the 15th minute. Maximiliano Moralez delivered a ball to the edge of the six-yard box that Callens powerfully headed towards goal. Fire goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth was able to get a hand on it, but the ball fell into the net for the Peruvian's second goal of the season.

Gary Mackay-Steven doubled the lead for NYCFC in the 32nd minute. Valentin Castellanos played a ball in behind the Fire backline to Mackay-Steven, which forced Shuttleworth off his line. The veteran goalkeeper was able to get a hand on the ball and push it wide, but the Scottish midfielder was able to maintain his footing, spin and score on a left-footed shot from a difficult angle.

One minute later, Chicago answered from none other than striker Robert Berić. Midfielder Djordje Mihailović crossed in a ball from the left side to find Berić unmarked in the box. The Slovenian directed a strong header on frame for his team-leading 12th goal of the season. Berić is currently tied for second in the MLS Golden Boot race.

New York made it 3-1 in the 37th minute with a goal from Jesus Medina. A poor clearance from the Fire fell to Keaton Parks. Parks found Moralez who laid it off for Medina. The Designated Player struck a left-footed shot to the left side of the net to regain a two-goal lead.

Fire midfielder Przemysław Frankowski would score back-to-back goals in the 42nd and 43rd minutes. After a long diagonal ball that New York failed to clear, Mihailović made his way to the endline before playing it dangerously into the box. Frankowski took advantage of a melee to tap it home.

The Fire did not waste any time leveling the match. Berić would take on his defender one-on-one and swing in a cross from the left side to Mihailović. The Homegrown Player would mistime the volley but it fell to Frankowski. The Polish international calmly placed a right-footed shot inside the left post to grab a brace.

NYCFC scored the game-winner in the 77th minute off a Fire turnover. An errant pass fell to Castellanos who easily redirected the ball into the net (WATCH).

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

Notes:

The Fire finished the season with a 5-10-8 record (11th place, Eastern Conference).

Berić scored his team-leading 12th goal of the season. He is currently tied for second in scoring in MLS with Columbus forward Gyasi Zardes. LAFC's Diego Rossi leads MLS with 14 goals.

Frankowski notched his first brace of 2020 and earned Heineken Man of the Match honors. With the two-goal performance, Frankowski became the first player in Club history to score a goal in consecutive minutes. Prior to the start of the 2020 season, only 12 players in MLS history had scored goals in consecutive minutes.

Rookie defender Mauricio Pineda earned his 23rd start of the season, becoming the first Homegrown player to start every regular season match for the Club in his rookie season.

Every Fire broadcast starts with an original feature, The Open. Tonight's version, "Fortress" was voiced by Fire defender Jonathan Bornstein. You can watch it here.

Game highlights can be viewed here (Imagen) and here (MLS Matchcenter).

Goals:

NYCFC - Callens (2) (Moralez 3) (WATCH) 15'

NYCFC - Mackay-Steven (2) (Castellanos 3) (WATCH) 32'

CHI - Berić (12) (Mihailović 6) (WATCH) 33'

NYCFC - Medina (5) (Moralez 3, Parks 1) (WATCH) 37'

CHI - Frankowski (2) (WATCH) 42'

CHI - Frankowski (3) (Mihailović 7) (WATCH) 43'

NYCFC - Castellanos (6) (WATCH) 77'

Box Score:

Chicago Fire FC 3:4 New York City FC

Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Sekulić (F Collier 76'), D Bornstein (D Navarro 58'), D Calvo ©, D Pineda (D Terán 88'), M Medrán, M Mihailović, M Giménez, M Frankowski, M Herbers (M Aliseda 58'), F Berić

Subs not used: GK Sparrow, D Bronico, D Omsberg, D Kappelhof, M Gutiérrez

New York City FC: GK Johnson, D Tinnerholm, D Chanot, D Callens (D Ibeagha HT), D Ring ©, D Matarrita (D Thorarinsson 68'), M Moralez, M Mackay-Steven (F Tajouri-Shradi 81'), M Medina (M Rocha 81'), M Parks (D Acevedo 68'), F Castellanos

Subs not used: GK Stuver, D Scally, M Torres, M Haak

Stats Summary: CHI / NYCFC

Shots: 19 / 20

Shots on Target: 7 / 10

Saves: 6 / 4

Corners: 3 / 8

Fouls: 9 / 12

Offsides: 4 / 2

Possession: 46.9% / 53.1%

Referee: Fotis Bazakos

Assistant Referees: Andrew Bigelow, Peter Balciunas

Fourth Official: Timothy Ford

VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics




Images from this story

Chicago Fire FC forward Robert Beric (left) vs. New York City FC
Chicago Fire FC forward Robert Beric (left) vs. New York City FC
   

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