The Chicago Fire Reserves scored back-to-back goals in the second half to edge ahead of the Colorado Rapids and earn a 2-1 victory at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park training field. With the win, Chicago brought their reserves record to 2-0, while Colorado suffered their third loss of the season making them 0-3-0.
During the first half, both teams saw multiple chances to open scoring. It wasn’t until the 51st minute that Steven Emory collected a loose ball in the Chicago attacking third and slotted a low shot to the right post past Fire goalkeeper Alec Dufty. Emory’s goal was his first professional goal and also the first of the season for the Rapids Reserves, who have been shutout in their previous two matches.
Chicago responded in the 66th minute when Orr Barouch’s shot from inside the 18-yard-box deflected off Rapids defender Mike Holody and settled to the feet of Patrick Nyarko who calmly finished on an empty net. Two minutes later, Nyarko and Barouch switched roles as Nyarko served a pass to the on-running Barouch. He calmly finished with a one-touch shot from the right side of the goalbox, putting the Fire up 2-1.
As they continued to get chances, the Rapids were unable to finish and lost the match while playing a man down; the shorthanded side exhausted their substitutes before forward Ross LaBauex had to leave the game with an injury sustained in a tackle with Chicago sub Manny Guzman.
For their next matches, both squads will face-off against Sporting KC. KC will travel to Chicago to face the Fire at home on May 17 (10:00 a.m. CT) and then to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park to play the Rapids on May 29 (11:00 a.m. MT).
Scoring Summary:
COL – Steven Emory 1 (unassisted) 51’
CHI – Patrick Nyarko 1 (Orr Barouch) 66’
CHI – Orr Barouch 1 (Patrick Nyarko) 68’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Baggio Husidic (caution; Tactical Foul) 36’
CHI – Pari Pantazopoulos (caution; Infringement) 86’
Colorado Rapids Reserves – Steward Ceus (Ian Joyce 46’); Danny Earls, Scott Palguta, Michael Holody, Davy Armstrong (Oscar Montez 69’); Ricardo Perez, Steven Emory, Joseph Nane, Josh Janniere; Ross LaBauex, #Phil Bannister (James Rogers 68’)
Substitutes Not Used: None
Chicago Fire Reserves – Alec Dufty; Bratislav Ristic, Peter Beasley, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Pari Pantazopoulos; Victor Pineda; Martin Rivas, Baggio Husidic, Orr Barouch (Manny Guzman 73’), Daris Paul; Patrick Nyarko (Brady Wahl 89’)
Substitutes Not Used: Sean Johnson, Dasan Robinson, Corben Bone
* = Denotes Chicago Fire Academy or Colorado Rapids Academy players
#= Denotes COL trial players
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Weather: Cloudy, 46 degrees
