MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Roar Back to Defeat Montreal Impact 3-1

Published on September 16, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, Ill. - For the seventh time this season, the Chicago Fire (15-8-5; 50 pts.) responded from a deficit, using goals from Alex and Designated Players Alvaro Fernandez and Sherjill MacDonald to rally and defeat the Montreal Impact (12-15-3; 39 pts.) Saturday night at Toyota Park. With the victory, the Fire move to within one point of Eastern Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City (51 pts.) with six matches remaining in the MLS regular season. The Fire are 10-3-2 with 32 points since June 17, 2012.

Making their first-ever trip to Toyota Park, the visiting Impact came close first. Attacking the Fire in transition, midfielder Felipe laid off for Davy Arnaud on the right before his low cross picked out Marco Di Vaio but the Italian striker only got a chopping shot off, forcing Fire 'keep Sean Johnson into an easy save in the ninth minute.

The Fire would respond three minutes later. Working up the right, Jalil Anibaba saw his cross deflected out to Alex. The Brazilian attacker took a touch before unleashing a powerful effort that forced Impact 'keeper Troy Perkins into a diving stop.

Following the chance, the visitors would slowly build up to the opening goal. First in the 15th minute when Rivas' long ball out of the back was chested down by Nyassi before the Gambian international cut towards goal and let off a curling effort that Johnson was equal to.

Three minutes later a long build up out of the midfield saw Di Vaio post up and lay off for Felipe at the top of the box but the Brazilian attacker's right-footed effort was well held by Johnson.

Montreal would finally breakthrough in the 20th minute when Rivas' sent a long ball up the right to Hassoun Camara. The French defender sent a flicked-on header towards the box and into the path of Di Vaio, who worked through the Fire back line before firing low to Johnson's right go give the Impact a 1-0 lead.

The Fire came close to equalizing in the 31st minute when Alex won a ball in the attacking end and played it back for Logan Pause. The Fire captain slotted for Alvaro Fernandez who belted a low shot just wide left of Troy Perkins goal.

Three minutes later, the Fire would find the equalizer. A long bit of possession resulted in Anibaba collecting the ball on the right before the second year defender crossed for Sherjill MacDonald who's glancing header beat Perkins inside the back post. It was the Dutch striker's second goal since joining the Men in Red in late July.

Montreal nearly went back up on a counter attack in the 36th minute. Di Vaio strolled up the middle before laying off for Patrice Bernier on the right, allowing the Canadian international to send in a whipping low ball that missed out by inches on connecting with a sliding Sanna Nyassi, taking the teams into halftime level at 1-1.

Both teams struggled for chances at the beginning of the second half, failing to connect with a shot on goal until the Fire found the go-ahead in the 61st minute. Playing with high pressure, Alex intercepted Alessandro Nesta's pass out of the back before laying off for Fernandez. The Uruguayan international chipped forward for Alex, who chested down before entering the box and firing a beautiful left-footed effort to the top right corner to give the Fire a 2-1 lead.

The visitors looked to respond in the 73rd minute when Bernier put on a dribbling exhibition at the top of the box. Finally, the Canadian international directed an effort towards goal that Di Vaio redirected but Johnson kept the chance out before it was called back due to offside.

The Fire would put the game on ice seven minutes later. Substitute defender Dan Gargan pushed far up the right to find Chris Rolfe before the veteran forward centered a pass to an open Fernandez, leaving the Uruguayan international with a one-time effort that beat Perkins inside the near post in the 80th minute.

Before the end, the Impact tried to pull things back within one goal as Bernier penetrated through the middle before finding Di Vaio. The former Italian international found space before unleashing a low drive just wide of goal in the 87th minute, leaving the Fire with all three of the points on the night.

The Fire return to action when they host the Eastern Conference foes Columbus Crew at Toyota Park on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. CT live on NBC 5.2 and 97.5 FM ESPN Deportes. Tickets for the match are available at www.Chicago-Fire.com or by calling 888-MLS-FIRE.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 16, 2012


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