Chicago Fire 1:0 NYCFC
WATCH: Full Match Highlights
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Designated Player David Accam scored his first career MLS goal to lead the Chicago Fire to a 1-0 win against visiting New York City FC on Friday at Toyota Park.
In front of a standing-room only crowd, the Fire out-shot their guests 24-8 and peppered goalkeeper Ryan Meara with seven shots on goal. The result produced Chicago’s third win in-a-row, marking the first time the club has recorded a winning streak of three or more since 2013. The Fire’s winning streak is also the longest active streak in MLS.
MLS Matchcenter (Stats, OPTA Chalkboard) | Postmatch Reaction
Accam nearly broke the deadlock 15 minutes into the match. He intercepted a pass in New York City FC’s defensive third, dribbled through a trio of defenders and slotted a shot around a fourth. The shot beat Meara, but watched his shot deflect off the post before the visitors scrambled to clear the danger.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9T4MfMimXOA"></a> |
<b>Frank Yallop Postmatch Reaction</b> |
Accam found his redemption five minutes later. The offseason Designated Player signing took the ball off Meara after the goalkeeper lost control while trying to prevent a pass from going out of bounds for a Fire corner. Accam collected, dribbled toward goal and tucked his shot into an open net for his first goal in a Fire jersey.
The Ghanaian international was at the center of the action again in the 24th minute, earning his side a man advantage after drawing a foul from NYCFC defender Andrew Jacobson. Jacobson tried to prevent Accam from breaking free on goal, but his challenge came late and warranted a red card for being the last defender.
Harry Shipp became the second Fire player to rattle the woodwork in the 51st minute. He ran onto a through ball from Joevin Jones on the left and then blasted a left-footed shot off the post from inside the area.
Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson made four saves to pick up his second clean sheet in his last three games and second of the season. Johnson’s backline consisted of Eric Gehrig, Jeff Larentowicz, Adailton and Jones.
The crowd of 19,124 marks the largest Friday-match attendance in club history.
The Men in Red return to action on Sunday, May 3 against Sporting Kansas City at Sporting Park. Kickoff is 4 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (3-3-0, 9 pts.) 1:0 New York City FC (1-4-3, 4 pts.)
April 24, 2015 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 19,124
Scoring Summary:
CHI – David Accam (unassisted) 20
Misconduct Summary:
NYC – Andrew Jacobson (ejection) 23
NYC – Jeb Brovsky (caution) 26
CHI – Matt Watson (caution) 28
CHI – Adailton (caution) 90+3
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Eric Gehrig, ©Jeff Larentowicz, Adailton, Joevin Jones, David Accam, Matt Polster, Matt Watson, Harry Shipp, Shaun Maloney, Guly do Prado (Quincy Amarikwa 66).
Shots: 24; Shots On Goal: 7; Saves: 4; Fouls: 10; Corner Kicks: 7; Offsides: 2.
New York City FC: Ryan Meara, Chris Wingert, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Javier Calle (Matthew Dunn 38), Jeb Brovsky, Andrew Jacobson, Mehdi Ballouchy (Sebastian Velasquez 72), ©Ned Grabavoy, Mix Diskerud, Adam Nemec (Patrick Mullins 34), Khiry Shelton.
Shots: 8; Shots On Goal: 4; Saves: 6; Fouls: 12; Corner Kicks: 3; Offsides: 0.
