BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Nigerian Designated Player Kennedy Igboananike came off the bench to score twice and lead the Chicago Fire into the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals with a 3-1 win against Orlando City SC on Wednesday at Toyota Park.
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<b>Frank Yallop Postmatch Reaction</b> |
Chicago will face the Philadelphia Union on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at Philadelphia's PPL Park in their U.S. Open Cup semifinal. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
The Fire were the aggressors for much of the match Wednesday, ending with an 18-5 advantage in shots. In addition to Igboananike’s brace, Patrick Nyarko recorded his first U.S. Open Cup goal of the year.
WATCH: Match Highlights
Fans didn’t have to wait long before the Fire broke the deadlock. Shaun Maloney played a pass back to Chicago goalkeeper Jon Busch in the third minute and he sent a long pass downfield into open space. Nyarko capitalized, striking off the bounce from near the edge of the area to net his first goal in U.S. Open Cup action this year.
Orlando City equalized in the 56th minute with Eric Avila and Cyle Larin linking up. Avila sent a cross into the middle of the area, inches out of the grasp of Busch. Larin was waiting on the other side to slam a header into an open net.
After a dominant half, the Fire finally netted the game’s decisive goal in the 87th minute. Matt Watson found David Accam open on the left side and the Ghanaian beat his man into the box. Accam fired from close range, but his near-post attempt drew iron and bounced back into the middle of the box. Igboananike was on site and calmly put his shot into the net for his first of two goals.
Four minutes later, Igboananike doubled his goal total and his team’s lead. Joevin Jones sprung Igboananike on a counter attack with a lofted pass over the top from the Fire’s defensive half. The striker collected and dribble into the box, beating the keeper on the dribble before slotting his shot past an Orlando City defender.
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For the four-time U.S. Open Cup-champion Chicago Fire, this year's semifinal appearance marks the third in the last three seasons and the club's 11th all-time, tying an Open Cup record.
Additionally, tonight's three goals give the Fire an even 100 all-time in U.S. Open Cup tournament play.
The Men in Red return to action on Saturday, July 25 against the New England Revolution at Toyota Park. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago.
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Chicago Fire 3:1 Orlando City SC
July 22, 2015 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 4,723
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Patrick Nyarko (Jon Busch) 3
ORL – Cyle Larin (Eric Avila) 56
CHI – Kennedy Igboananike (unassisted) 88
CHI – Kennedy Igboananike (Joevin Jones) 90+1
Misconduct Summary:
ORL – Sebastian Hines (caution) 15
ORL – Cyle Larin (caution) 80
CHI – Kennedy Igboananike (caution) 89
Chicago Fire: Jon Busch, Matt Polster, Eric Gehrig, Adailton, Joevin Jones, Patrick Nyarko (David Accam 59), ©Razvan Cocis, Matt Watson, Harry Shipp, Shaun Maloney (Kennedy Igboananike 66), Jason Johnson (Michael Stephens 90).
Shots: 18; Shots On Goal: 6; Saves: 0; Fouls: 15; Corner Kicks: 8; Offsides: 1.
Orlando City SC: Tally Hall, Rafael Ramos, Sebastian Hines, Sean St. Ledger, Luke Boden, Darwin Ceren, Cristian Higuita, Eric Avila (Danny Mwanga 89), ©Kaka, Pedro Ribeiro (Servando Carrasco 83), Cyle Larin.
Shots: 5; Shots On Goal: 1; Saves: 3; Fouls: 20; Corner Kicks: 5; Offsides: 2.
