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Chicago Fire FC

Shorthanded Chicago Fire Fall 1-0 to Philadelphia Union

May 18, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHESTER, PA - The Chicago Fire (2-7-1; seven points) fell 1-0 to the Philadelphia Union (5-4-3; 18 points) Saturday evening at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. Jack McInerney scored the only goal of the match in the third minute and a 63rd minute red card to Fire right back Wells Thompson forced the Men in Red to finish the match with 10 men.

The Fire came out of the gates flying and got their first chance of the match in just the second minute. Jalil Anibaba won the ball just inside the Fire's half and played the ball forward to Patrick Nyarko. With a nifty, no-look back heel, Nyarko sprung fellow forward Chris Rolfe. The 2012 Chicago Fire MVP played a short pass to Joel Lindpere, who took two touches to push the ball forward and unleashed a left-footed shot from outside the box that went just wide right.

A minute later the home side would get on the board. A cleared corner kick fell to Sebastien Le Toux. With one touch the Frenchman sent in a cross to Jack McInerney at the top of the six yard box. The Alpharetta, Ga. native snapped his header down and past Fire 'keeper Sean Johnson for his league-leading eighth goal of the season.

Searching for the equalizing goal, the Fire would continue to get their chances. In the seventh minute, Dilly Duka whipped in a corner kick and found Austin Berry inside the penalty area. The reigning MLS Rookie of the Year lost his defender and snapped his header towards goal but it went just wide of the post.

In the ninth minute, Nyarko received the ball inside the Union half and found Lindpere, who played a ball behind the Union defense to Rolfe, who unleashed a one-time, left-footed shot on frame but it went right to Union 'keeper Zac MacMath.

Thompson would receive his first yellow card of the night in the 14th minute for a hard challenge on the Union's Danny Cruz.

Nyarko would again prove dangerous in the 18th minute when he received the ball 35 yards from goal and turned towards goal. The converted forward took on two Union defenders and sent in a curving, right-footed shot but MacMath was able to get down low and deflect the ball out for a Fire corner kick.

The Fire came out of the locker room after halftime with renewed vigor in search of the equalizer.

In the 60th minute, Anibaba sent in a patented long throw-in into the Union penalty area. Nyarko pounced on the clearance and dribbled towards goal. Nyarko found Dilly Duka at the top of the penalty arc. With his back towards goal, Duka took a few touches to settle, and quickly turned and unleashed a dipping shot towards goal that MacMath punched out at the last second.

The Fire would be forced to play a man down in the 63rd minute when Thompson received his second yellow card of the night for taking down Cruz 30 yards from goal.

The Fire would get another look at goal in the 72nd minute when Duka sent a free kick from distance into the Union penalty box. Berry flicked on his header to Jeff Larentowicz at the top of the six yard box but the Philadelphia, Pa. native's volley sailed over the cross bar.

In the 73rd minute, Sherjill MacDonald received the ball 40 yards from goal and dribbled down the left flank. Fighting for positioning, MacDonald turned and dribbled towards goal but was dragged down by Willams, well inside the penalty box. Williams was shown a yellow card for the foul but the referee awarded the free kick outside the box.

In the 78th minute the Fire would again get a shot on goal. Alex received a short throw-in deep in the Union half. The Brazilian dribbled up and towards the center of the pitch and from 30 yards out, took a left-footed shot that MacMath was able to bring down.

The Fire hit the road again next weekend and head to take on Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah on Saturday, May 25 at 8:00 p.m. CT (My50/La Ley 107.9 FM). The Fire return to Toyota Park when they host D.C. United on Sunday, June 2 at 4:00 p.m. CT (My50/UniMas/107.9 La Ley). Tickets for the match are available by calling 888-MLS-Fire or by visiting www.Chicago-Fire.com.

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