BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Three different players scored in a dominant 3-0 Chicago Fire win against the Montreal Impact on Saturday at Toyota Park during a torrential downpour.
Montreal entered the match on a two-game winning streak, scoring six goals in the process. However, the Fire outshot their guests 19-3 and limited the Impact to zero shots on goal. Harry Shipp, Jeff Larentowicz and Kennedy Igboananike accounted for the scoring while Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch picked up his first shutout of the season. Busch now has 83 shutouts in his 15-year MLS career, three behind Joe Cannon for No. 3 on the league’s all-time list.
Match Photos | Match Highlights | Postmatch Quotes
The Fire were aggressive from the outset. The first chance came just minutes into the match as Designated Player Shaun Maloney whipped in a cross from the left side of the field, finding Larentowicz open at the top of the 6-yard box. Larentowicz headed his shot into the ground, but right at goalkeeper Evan Bush.
Five minutes later, Chicago had another quality chance in front of the net. This time David Accam laid a pass off for Joevin Jones on the left and the Trinidadian sent a precision cross into the mix. Igboananike rose to win the header, but Bush provided heavy pressure and forced the Nigerian Designated Player to send his shot wide of the frame.
Watch Postmatch Reaction:Frank Yallop | Harry Shipp | Kennedy Igboananike
Chicago took the lead in the 13th minute after the combination of Igboananike’s hustle and Shipp’s finishing touch. Igboananike took the ball off of Montreal defender Bakary Soumare on the left side and then slid a pass to the top of the box, finding Shipp in stride. Shipp took a touch to set up his shot and then unleashed a rising left-footed blast that burst into the top corner for his second goal of the season.
Match Stats and OPTA Chalkboard
Two of Chicago’s Designated Players linked up for a chance to double the lead at the half hour mark. Accam carried the ball half the length of the field and then led Igboananike with a through ball that the striker struck in stride. However, Bush came off his line to deny the chance.
Larentowicz added to the Fire’s lead in the 45th minute with his team-leading fourth goal of the season. Accam won a penalty after getting taken down by Soumare in the box, allowing Larentowicz to step to the spot. Chicago’s captain tucked his shot into the lower-right corner for a 2-0 lead just before halftime.
The Fire capped the scoring in the 72nd minute. Razvan Cocis played Igboananike with a through ball, springing him for a one-on-one with Bush. Igboananike won that battle, slipping a shot past Bush for his first goal with Chicago.
The Men in Red return to action on Wednesday, June 3 against D.C. United at RFK Stadium. Kickoff is 6 p.m. CT on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (4-5-2, 14 pts.) 3:0 Montreal Impact (2-4-2, 8 pts.)
May 30, 2015 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 15,256
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Harry Shipp (Kennedy Igboananike) 13
CHI – Jeff Larentowicz (penalty kick) 45
CHI – Kennedy Igboananike (Razvan Cocis) 72
Misconduct Summary:
MTL – Nigel Reo-Coker (caution) 3
MTL – Marco Donadel (caution) 23
MTL – Marco Donadel (ejection) 37
MTL – Calum Mallace (caution) 70
Chicago Fire: Jon Busch, Eric Gehrig, Jeff Larentowicz, Adailton, Joevin Jones, David Accam (Quincy Amarikwa 66), Matt Polster (Guly do Prado 80), Razvan Cocis, Harry Shipp, Shaun Maloney, Kennedy Igboananike (Jason Johnson 75).
Shots: 19; Shots On Goal: 11; Saves: 0; Fouls: 6; Corner Kicks: 5; Offsides: 1.
Montreal Impact: Evan Bush, Nigel Reo-Coker, Bakary Soumare, Laurent Ciman, Donny Toia, Ignacio Piatti (Anthony Jackson-Hamel 60), Calum Mallace (Patrice Bernier 76), Marco Donadel, Ambroise Oyongo, Dilly Duka, Jack McInerney (Eric Alexander 46).
Shots: 3; Shots On Goal: 0; Saves: 8; Fouls: 9; Corner Kicks: 4; Offsides: 3.
