MONTREAL – The Chicago Fire rallied from an initial 1-0 deficit, but ultimately fell 2-1 against the Montreal Impact on Wednesday at Stade Saputo.
The Fire out-shot their hosts 16-9, but the Impact withstood the pressure and came away with the points in the end.
Match Highlights | Match Stats | Postmatch Quotes
Gilberto had the game’s first golden chance in the 16th minute. Matt Polster headed an attempted clearance into space, springing Kennedy Igboananike. The Nigerian slid a pass to Gilberto, who tried to dribble past Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush, but Bush got a hand on the ball to slow down the attack and allow a pair of defenders to join the effort. Gilberto still managed a shot, but it was blocked away from its targeted destination.
The Fire had another great look in the 33rd minute with Gilberto again leading the charge. Patrick Nyarko stepped over a pass near midfield, leaving it for who found himself open on the right side. The Brazilian slid a pass across the middle of the box that scooted into the path of fellow Designated Player David Accam. Accam struck the ball first time, but the shot darted wide of the frame.
Montreal broke through six minutes later with Didier Drogba heading home the go-ahead goal. Drogba found himself open in front of the goal after pushing Fire defender Jeff Larentowicz off the ball and then headed in a cross from Nigel Reo-Coker.
Accam equalized early in the second half for Chicago. Patrick Doody lofted a vertical pass into an open patch of grass and Gilberto did well to fend his mark off before sprinting to volley a shot off the bounce from in side the left corner of the box. Bush came off his line and made a fingertip save, but the ball was still bouncing toward the goal. Gilberto headed another effort and hit the post, but Accam arrived on the scene to nod in his team-leading ninth goal of the season.
Five minutes before the Impact took the lead, Accam had an opportunity to put his team in front. Polster stepped in front of a Montreal pass in Chicago’s attacking half and then sent a weighted pass into Accam’s path. Accam carried the ball into the box and beat the goalkeeper and two defenders off the dribble, but the end product was a chipped shot over the crossbar.
Montreal took the lead for good in the 76th minute as Andres Romero bear Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch one-on-one in the box after running onto a through ball from Patrice Bernier.
The Men in Red return to action on Saturday, Sept. 26 against Toronto FC at BMO Field. Kickoff is 1 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (7-17-6, 27 pts.) 1:2 Montreal Impact (11-11-6, 39 pts.)
Sept. 23, 2015 – Stade Saputo
Attendance: 17,832
Scoring Summary:
MTL – Didier Drogba (Nigel Reo-Coker) 39
CHI – David Accam (unassisted) 50
MTL – Andres Romero (Patrice Bernier) 76
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Razvan Cocis (caution) 45+1
CHI – Matt Polster (caution) 56
MTL – Laurent Ciman (caution) 58
MTL – Andres Romero (caution) 76
CHI – Patrick Doody (caution) 80
MTL – Victor Cabrera (caution) 86
CHI – Ty Harden (caution) 89
MTL – Laurent Ciman (ejection) 90+1
Chicago Fire: Jon Busch, Lovel Palmer, ©Jeff Larentowicz, Ty Harden, Patrick Doody, Patrick Nyarko (Harry Shipp 83), Matt Polster, Razvan Cocis, David Accam, Kennedy Igboananike (Joevin Jones 66), Gilberto (Mike Magee 78).
Shots: 14; Shots On Goal: 4; Saves: 4; Fouls: 11; Corner Kicks: 8; Offsides: 2.
Montreal Impact: Evan Busch, Ambroise Oyongo, Victor Cabrera, ©Laurent Ciman, Donny Toia, Dominic Oduro (Hassoun Camara 88), Kyle Bekker (Patrice Bernier 62), Nigel Reo-Coker, Dilly Duka, Johan Venegas (Andres Romero 72), Didier Drogba.
Shots: 8; Shots On Goal: 5; Saves: 4; Fouls: 12; Corner Kicks: 4; Offsides: 2.
