PHILADELPHIA – Chicago Fire forward Kennedy Igboananike had two goals and an assist, including a stoppage-time equalizer, helping his team earn a road point in a 3-3 draw against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday at PPL Park.
Igboananike scored the first and last goals of the match. He put his side in the lead just nine minutes into the contest and then rallied them with a 92nd-minute strike. Igboananike’s second goal was a crucial one as the Fire push to move back into MLS Cup Playoff contention.
Match Highlights | Sean Johnson "Outstanding"
Chicago seized an early lead thanks to a trio of lineup changes from their match against the Union earlier in the week. Jason Johnson sprung Patrick Nyarko down the sideline with a weighted pass and the Ghanaian winger swung a cross in front of the goal. Igboananike found a gap between a pair of Union defenders and tapped home the finish.
The Union leveled just past the 20-minute mark on a corner kick. Cristian Maidana whipped in the cross and Fernando Aristeguieta beat his mark to volley to knot the game at 1-1.
Philadelphia went ahead a half-hour through the first half. This time, Maidana slid a pass to Fabinho on a counter attack. The left back dribbled into the box and hit a shot that deflected off Fire defender Lovel Palmer and into the back of the net.
Match Stats and OPTA Chalkboard | Postmatch Quotes
Nyarko and Igboananike linked up again in the 54th minute to bring the sides level. This time, it was Igboananike feeding Nyarko in front of the goal. The Nigerian forward took a pass inside the box, turned and beat his defender to create enough space to send a pass to Nyarko. Nyarko didn’t waste his chance, redirecting the ball into the net from the doorstep for his second goal of the season.
Philadelphia netted what they thought would be the game-winner in the 90th minute. Sebastien Le Toux took a pass from Maidana on a counter and sent a shot through Palmer’s legs and into the goal.
However, the Fire showed resiliency with a stoppage-time equalizer moments later. Michael Stephens sent a through ball toward the end line, allowing Harry Shipp to run onto the pass and float a cross toward the near post. Magee trapped the cross and deftly flicked a pass across the goal to an open Igboananike, who crushed his shot into the roof of the net to earn his side a road point. The goals were Igboananike’s third and fourth of the season.
The Men in Red return to action on Saturday, Aug. 22 against the Colorado Rapids at Toyota Park. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (6-12-5, 23 pts.) 3:3 Philadelphia Union (9-13-6, 24 pts.)
Aug. 16, 2015 – PPL Park
Attendance: 17,608
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Kennedy Igboananike (Patrick Nyarko, Jason Johnson) 9
PHI – Fernando Aristeguieta (Cristian Maidana) 21
PHI – Fabinho (Cristian Maidana) 31
CHI – Patrick Nyarko (Kennedy Igboananike) 54
PHI – Sebastien Le Toux (Cristian Maidana) 90
CHI – Kennedy Igboananike (Mike Magee, Harry Shipp) 90+2
Misconduct Summary:
PHI – Warren Creavalle (caution) 34
PHI – Tranquillo Barnetta (caution) 55
CHI – Patrick Nyarko (caution) 70
PHI – Sebastien Le Toux (caution) 90+1
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Lovel Palmer, Eric Gehrig, ©Jeff Larentowicz, Joevin Jones, Patrick Nyarko (Mike Magee 84), Razvan Cocis (Matt Polster 74), Michael Stephens, Shaun Maloney (Harry Shipp 68), Kennedy Igboananike, Jason Johnson.
Shots: 11; Shots On Goal: 4; Saves: 8; Fouls: 14; Corner Kicks: ; Offsides: 0.
Philadelphia Union: John McCarthy, Raymond Gaddis, Steven Vitoria, Richard Marquez, Fabinho, ©Brian Carroll, Eric Ayuk Mbu, Tranquillo Barnetta (C.J. Sapong 60), Warren Creavalle (Michael Lahoud 60), Cristian Maidana, Fernando Aristeguieta (Sebastien Le Toux 73).
Shots: 20; Shots On Goal: 11; Saves: 1; Fouls: 16; Corner Kicks: 3; Offsides: 0.
