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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update: Fire Win STL Doubleheader, Shaqiri TOTM, U.S. Open Cup Round of 16

May 15, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


Chicago Fire FC went undefeated against midwestern rival St. Louis CITY SC last week!

Last Tuesday, Chicago Fire FC hosted St. Louis CITY SC in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament. The first matchup between Chicago and the League's newest expansion side resulted in a 2-1 victory that guided Chicago to the Round of 16 as the Club searches for their competition record fifth championship.

In the 2-1 Open Cup victory, Chicago was lifted by a pair of goals from Swiss midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie and German midfielder Fabian Herbers. Additionally, veteran goalkeeper Spencer Richey backstopped the Fire to the Round of 16 for the first time since 2018.

Four days later, the Fire hosted St. Louis for the first time in regular season history. The Fire, hosting Chicago Sports Day, recorded a 1-0 clean sheet victory led by Rafael Czichos. The German defender would score the opening goal of the game just four minutes after coming into the match, when designated player Xherdan Shaqiri fed a ball inside the box off a set piece and Czichos extended his leg to put it past the St. Louis goalkeeper.

The match was highlighted by Shaqiri's first assist of the season. His 12 assists are the most by a Fire player since the start of the 2022 MLS campaign. Additionally, the match saw Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady record his second career clean sheet after his two-save performance sealed the three points for the Fire.

Prior to the matches against Charlotte and Atlanta this week, the Fire will train at SeatGeek Stadium and the first 15 minutes of each session will be open to the media, with interviews with coaches and players occurring directly afterward. Media members interested in attending must RSVP and share any interview requests with Elizabeth Sánchez at esanchez@chicagofirefc.com at least 24 hours in advance of the training session they plan to attend. (Full schedule below).

SHAQIRI, CZICHOS, AND GUTIERREZ SELECTED TO TEAM OF THE MATCHDAY!

After a successful week against a strong St. Louis side, Chicago had three representatives as a part of this week's MLS Team of the Matchday!

Chicago Fire FC designated player Xherdan Shaqiri, defender Rafael Czichos and midfielder Brian Gutiérrez were named as members of the team for Matchday 12 following their stellar individual and collective performances in Saturday afternoon's 1-0 win against St. Louis CITY SC!

Shaqiri's performance against St. Louis earned him inclusion in the TOTM's first XI. The Swiss midfielder wore the captain's armband as he started in his third-straight match and delivered his first assist of the season. Shaqiri continues to gain match fitness following an injury spell, but it was his ball from a set play that created the game-winning goal, finding the space for Czichos to finish.

Czichos started the game on the bench, coming on for an injured Carlos Terán in the 34th minute. Just four minutes later, the German defender joined the Fire attack as Shaqiri and Gutiérrez lined up for a free kick. He was in the right place, making the run and stretching his left leg to get on the end of Shaqiri's cross. It was Czichos's second goal of the season, and he was selected to the Team of the Matchday bench for his effort.

Gutiérrez was also named to the Team of the Matchday bench following his performance against St. Louis. The young Chicagoan played 89 minutes and led the team in duels won (12), tackles won (5) and entries into the final third (8).

THE FIRE HEAD TO CHARLOTTE THIS WEDNESDAY!

It's another busy week for Chicago Fire FC.

This week, the Fire (3-3-5, 14 points) head to the Queen City and face off against Charlotte FC (4-5-3, 15 points) this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. CT at Bank of America Stadium. This midweek matchup will mark just the third time the two sides have met in franchise history. In the previous two matchups, the two teams have split the all-time series at one win apiece. While Charlotte won the most recent match, Chicago have found success against the North Carolina side when they're on the road.

The first trip to Charlotte saw the Fire come away with the victory with forward Kacper Przybyłko recording a brace. Midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri also had a memorable match, recording two assists in the victory to lead Chicago over Charlotte in the very first meeting between the two sides.

So far this season, Charlotte sits one spot above Chicago in the standings, although the Fire head into the match with a game in hand. This past weekend, Charlotte recorded a 3-1 victory over Atlanta United FC following a brace from forward Justin Meram in the 18th and 57th minute of play. With the victory, Charlotte recorded their fourth win of the season, and sit in a seven-way tie for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

KID'S NIGHT AGAINST ATLANTA UNITED FC THIS SATURDAY!

Just three days later, the Fire will look to extend their unbeaten streak at home to eight games against a strong Atlanta United FC (5-4-3, 18 points) side that sits in fourth place of the Eastern Conference heading into the weekend.

Saturday marks the second and final matchup between the two sides in the regular season, after Atlanta got the better of the Fire in their first meeting on April 23 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. The "Five Stripes" came away with a 2-1 victory in their first matchup.

Chicago looks to defend home soil once again this season and have done so in the past against Atlanta. The Fire are currently 4-1-1 all-time against Atlanta at home, with Chicago going unbeaten at home in four straight matches dating back to 2018, and having never lost a game at Soldier Field.

So far this season, the Georgia side has had a successful start to their season. Led by Young Designated Player Thiago Almada, the young Argentine is coming off a FIFA World Cup title in 2022 and currently leads the team in goals with five. On top of his scoring prowess, the speedy midfielder also leads the team in assists with seven.

In their previous match, Atlanta was defeated by Charlotte FC, 3-1, with Juan Jose Purata scoring the lone goal for the team in the 87th minute of play. Currently one point behind Nashville SC in the standings, Atlanta United FC hosts the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night before coming to Chicago on Saturday. Additionally, Atlanta is currently on a three-game losing streak in MLS play, and suffered a "cupset" against Memphis 901 FC in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on April 26.

THE U.S. OPEN CUP ROUND OF 16 IS QUICKLY APPROACHING!

This past week, two days after the Fire advanced to the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament, U.S. Soccer held a draw to determine who the Fire who play in the following round. The winner of the match between the Chicago Fire and Austin FC will advance to face the winner of Houston Dynamo versus Minnesota United FC.

It will be the first encounter between the Fire and Austin FC in the U.S. Open Cup. Austin advanced to the Round of 16 with a 2-0 win against New Mexico United (USL Championship) on Wednesday, May 10, in the Round of 32. Austin scored twice within 12 minutes in the first half of the match, with goals from Rodney Redes and Maximiliano Urruti. Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff is no stranger to the tournament, having captured the 1998 and 2000 U.S. Open Cup titles as a member of the Chicago Fire.

The Fire have won four U.S. Open Cup trophies in Club history, winning the 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006 editions of the tournament. Chicago's four titles are tied with Seattle Sounders FC and Sporting KC for the most championships won by an MLS team, and the second-most in the history of the tournament. Additionally, the Fire have appeared in the semifinals on 13 occasions, including six times in an eight-year period (2011-2018), tallying a 45-16-7 all-time record in the annual competition.

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