HARRISON, NJ. (April 29, 2017) – The Chicago Fire were defeated by the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Saturday night by a score of 2-1. The Fire recovered from a first half deficit to level the score after halftime, but a Kemar Lawrence finish ultimately earned three points for the home team.
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Forward Nemanja Nikolic and the Fire attack did well to pressure the Red Bull defense in the game’s opening stanza, with Nikolic himself accounting for five shots at Luis Robles’ net in the first 45 minutes. However, it was New York’s Bradley Wright-Phillips that ultimately opened scoring in the 37th minute. Midfielder Daniel Royer found himself on the end of a deflected ball from midfield while running into the Fire 18-yard box, and was able to play a low ball across Jorge Bava’s net for the Englishman to finish. The hosts would carry their 1-0 lead through to halftime.
Nikolic would find his early chances rewarded in the game’s 59th minute. Fire captain Dax McCarty dribbled through a pair of Red Bull defenders at the top of the opponent’s box and laid the ball off to a waiting Nikolic to curl past Robles and bring the score level at 1-1. The goal was Nikolic’s fifth of the season, and the first scored by an opponent at Red Bull Arena in 2017.
The hosts would reclaim the lead in the 71st minute courtesy of Kemar Lawrence. The Jamaican international found himself on the end of a midfield through ball running in from the left wing, and slotted a low shot past Bava to make the score 2-1. Despite a trio of late substitutions in Michael de Leeuw, Daniel Johnson, and Arturo Alvarez, the Red Bulls hung on to claim full points at home. The win extends New York’s home unbeaten streak to 19 games.
The Fire conclude their road trip with a match at StubHub Center against the Los Angeles Galaxy next Saturday, May 6. Kickoff is set for 9:30 pm CT on CSN Chicago.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (3-3-2, 11 pts.) 1:2 New York Red Bulls (5-3-1, 16 pts.)
April 29, 2017 – Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 22,814
Scoring Summary:
NY – Bradley Wright-Phillips (Daniel Royer) 37’
CHI – Nemanja Nikolic (Dax McCarty, David Accam) 59’
NY – Kemar Lawrence 71’
Misconduct Summary:
NY – Alex Muyl (caution) 51’
NY – Connor Lade (caution) 62’
NY – Felipe (caution) 81’
NY – Fredrik Gulbrandsen (caution) 87’
Chicago Fire: Jorge Bava, Michael Harrington, Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira, Brandon Vincent, Juninho (Michael de Leeuw 73’), Dax McCarty ©, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luis Solignac (Arturo Alvarez 86’), Nemanja Nikolic, David Accam (Daniel Johnson 79’).
Subs not used: Matt Lampson, Jonathan Campbell, Drew Conner, Djordje Mihailovic.
Shots: 14; Shots On-Goal: 5; Saves: 1; Fouls: 13; Corners: 5; Offsides: 4
New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles, Daniel Royer, Damien Perrinelle, Aaron Long, Connor Lade, Tyler Adams, Felipe, Kemar Lawrence, Sacha Kljestan © (Sean Davis 90’), Alex Muyl (Gonzalo Veron 65’), Bradley Wright-Phillips (Fredrik Gulbrandsen 78’).
Subs not used: Ryan Meara, Derrick Etienne Jr., Hassan Ndam, Michael Amir Murillo.
Shots: 10; Shots On-Goal: 3; Saves: 4; Fouls: 16; Corners: 4; Offsides: 1
