BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire made a late push, but ultimately came up short in a 2-1 loss against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday at Toyota Park.
The Fire out-shot their guests 15-8 and were buzzing around the Red Bulls’ box for much of the second half. Gilberto scored his fifth goal for the Men in Red in the 78th minute to add intrigue to the closing minutes, but the final whistle came before an equalizer.
The visitors scored first on a corner kick in the eighth minute. Sacha Kljestan whipped a cross to the near post and Sal Zizzo flicked it on to Bradley Wright-Phillips. The Englishman lost his marker and tapped in from point-blank range.
Match Stats and OPTA Chalkboard | Match Highlights
New York doubled their lead midway through the first half from the penalty spot. Chicago’s Patrick Nyarko was whistled for a foul inside the area, allowing Kljestan to step to the spot and slot his shot inside the right post for a 2-0 advantage.
Gilberto pulled one back late in the second half with an acrobatic finish. Patrick Doody found Nyarko open at the back post and the Ghanaian winger headed a pass toward his Brazilian teammate. Gilberto left his feet for a side volley off the bounce and watched his shot slide into the lower corner.
Postmatch Reaction:Brian Bliss|David Accam| Patrick Nyarko
Fire goalkeeper Alec Kann had a busy night in his club and MLS debut, recording six saves. He originally joined the Fire in 2013 after beginning his professional career with the Charleston Battery and drew his first start on Sunday.
Chicago out-shot its opposition by a 15-8 margin, while the Red Bulls held an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (8-20-6, 30 pts.) 1:2 New York Red Bulls (18-10-6, 63 pts.)
Oct. 25, 2015 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 19,850
Scoring Summary:
NY – Bradley Wright-Phillips (Sal Zizzo, Sacha Kljestan) 8
NY – Sacha Kljestan (penalty kick) 35
CHI – Gilberto (Patrick Nyarko, Patrick Doody) 78
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Matt Polster (caution) 71
CHI – Jeff Larentowicz (caution) 74
Chicago Fire: Alec Kann, Matt Polster, Chris Ritter (Daneil Cyrus 21), ©Jeff Larentowicz, Patrick Doody, Patrick Nyarko, Razvan Cocis, Matt Watson (Kennedy Igboananike 84), Joevin Jones (David Accam 58), Harry Shipp, Gilberto.
Shots: 15; Shots On Goal: 5; Saves: 6; Fouls: 16; Corner Kicks: 8; Offsides: 2.
New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles, Sal Zizzo, Damien Perrinelle, Matt Miazga, Kemar Lawrence, Lloyd Sam (Shaun Wright-Phillips 75), Mike Grella (Gonzalo Veron 67), ©Dax McCarty, Felipe Martins, Sacha Kljestan, Bradley Wright-Phillips (Ronald Zubar 84).
Shots: 8; Shots On Goal: 8; Saves: 4; Fouls: 12; Corner Kicks: 4; Offsides: 4.