COLUMBUS (Oct. 1, 2016) – The Chicago Fire fell 3-0 to Columbus Crew SC in Columbus on Saturday night.
Columbus’ Harrison Afful opened scoring in the eighth minute. The Ghanaian defender had the ball played to him at the top of the Fire 18-yard box from a short corner, and struck a dipping ball from distance over goalkeeper Sean Johnson to put the hosts ahead 1-0.
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The Fire’s best opportunity to level came in the 26th minute. Defender Johan Kappelhof found space along the Crew SC sideline and played a ball into the Columbus 18 for David Accam. Accam’s shot attempt was blocked, but fell to a waiting Luis Solignac. Solignac went for the one-time attempt, but his shot went high of ‘keeper Steve Clark’s net.
John Goossens nearly put the Fire on the board immediately after the whistle blew to begin the second half. Solignac played the Dutchman in from the wing, and Goossens found himself with room to shoot from distance. His low blast was on-target, but Clark made it to ground in time to parry.
Justin Meram doubled the Crew SC lead in the 50th minute. The Iraq international played a give-and-go with Dilly Duka down the left flank and found room in the box to finish near-post past Johnson, putting Columbus up 2-0.
Duka would make it 3-0 in the 59th minute. Mohammed Saied made a run down the left touchline and played a low ball into Johnson’s box. A sprinting Duka was there to get a touch on it, finish, and extend the Crew SC lead for good. The victory marked Columbus’ first in three 2016 attempts against the Fire.
The Fire resume MLS play Thursday, Oct. 13, when they host to Columbus in a replay at Toyota Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT with coverage on CSN Chicago and 97.5 FM Poder.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (6-16-9, 27 points) 0:3 Columbus Crew (8-12-11, 35 points)
October 1, 2016 – MAPFRE Stadium
Attendance: 20,034
Scoring Summary:
CLB – Harrison Afful (Mohammed Saeid) 8
CLB – Justin Meram (Dilly Duka) 50
CLB – Dilly Duka (Mohammed Saeid, Justin Meram) 59
Misconduct Summary:
CHI - Rodrigo Ramos (caution) 88
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Johan Kappelhof, Jonathan Campbell, Joao Meira, Brandon Vincent, John Goossens (Matt Polster 63), Khaly Thiam, Luis Solignac, Michael de Leeuw ©, David Accam (Rodrigo Ramos 75), David Arshakyan (Arturo Alvarez 63).
Shots: 5; Shots On-Goal: 1; Saves: 1; Fouls: 11; Corners: 1; Offsides: 2
Columbus Crew: Steve Clark, Hector Jimenez (Chad Barson 80), Gaston Sauro, Michael Parkhurst ©, Harrison Afful, Mohammed Saeid, Nicolai Naess, Justin Meram, Dilly Duka (Will Trapp 63), Ethan Finlay, Adam Jahn (Ola Kamara 70).
Shots: 12; Shots On-Goal: 4; Saves: 1; Fouls: 5; Corners: 7; Offsides: 4
