WATCH: Match Highlights
SAN JOSE, Calif. (March 22, 2015) -- The Chicago Fire cut a two-goal deficit in half and largely dictated the run of play, but ultimately the Men In Red fell short in a 2-1 loss against the San Jose Earthquakes Sunday in the inaugural MLS match at Avaya Stadium.
Inspired by the energy inside their new home, the Earthquakes built a 2-0 advantage with goals in the game’s fifth and 21st minutes. Fire midfielder Harry Shipp later scored his first goal of the season and the eighth of his career in the 29th minute, slotting home a perfect pass from Joevin Jones.
After beginning the season shorthanded, Chicago on Sunday got a glimpse of its squad with each of its three Designated Players on the field at the same time in the second half. Shaun Maloney started and played 90 minutes, David Accam came on at halftime and played the final 45 minutes and Kennedy Igboananike entered the match in the 67th minute.
• MLS Matchcenter: Stats, Box Score, Photos
The home side found the net five minutes into the contest. Designated Player Matias Perez Garcia opened the sequence with a well-placed corner kick that found teammate JJ Koval’s head for a centering pass. Clarence Goodson nodded that pass toward goal and rookie Fatai Alashe redirected the shot into the net from point-blank range to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
San Jose doubled its lead in the 21st minute after Ty Harden cleaned up a loose ball inside the 6-yard box. Perez Garcia found Goodson open in the box on a free kick and the former U.S. Men’s National Team defender volleyed a shot on goal. Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson was able to make the initial save with his foot, but Harden was the first to find the next touch for a tap-in goal.
The Fire continued to battle and pulled one back just before the half-hour mark. Winger Joevin Jones slid a perfect pass between Earthquakes defenders, laying the ball in front of Harry Shipp. The 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year finalist took advantage of his chance, tucking it inside the far post for his first goal of 2015.
Two minutes later the Fire nearly equalized if not for a brilliant save by San Jose goalkeeper David Bingham. Eric Gehrig rose to win a corner kick by Fire Designated Player Shaun Maloney, but his snapped header was brushed away for another corner with a terrific reaction save by Bingham.
Chicago had another golden chance to tie the game early in the second half. Quincy Amarikwa took the ball off the feet of Harden and charged toward the goal, but his attempted chip scooted just over the crossbar. Accam continued to lead the charge in creating chances late in the match, but the home side withstood to take all three points.
For the match, Chicago maintained 58 percent of the possession compared to the Quakes' 42. The hosts held a slim 13-12 edge in shots taken.
Next week, the Fire return to Toyota Park to face their first Eastern Conference opponent of the season, hosting the Philadelphia Union at 4 p.m. CT Sunday. The match will air live to a national audience on ESPN2.
--
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 2:1 Chicago Fire
March 22, 2015 – Avaya Stadium
Attendance: 18,000
Scoring Summary:
SJ – Fatai Alashe (Clarence Goodson, Ty Harden) 5
SJ – Ty Harden (unassisted) 21
CHI – Harry Shipp (Joevin Jones) 29
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Matt Polster (caution) 26
San Jose Earthquakes: David Bingham, Marvell Wynne, Clarence Goodson, Ty Harden, Shaun Francis, Sanna Nyassi (Cordell Cato 87), JJ Koval, Fatai Alashe, Innocent Immeghara (Shea Salinas 76), Marias Perez Garcia (Adam Jahn 83), ©Chris Wondolowski.
Shots: 13; Shots On Goal: 6; Saves: 3; Fouls: 14; Corner Kicks: 9; Offsides: 3.
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Eric Gehrig, ©Jeff Larentowicz, Adailton, Lovel Palmer, Matt Polster, Harry Shipp, Michael Stephens (Kennedy Igboananike 67), Shaun Maloney, Joevin Jones (David Accam 46), Quincy Amarikwa (Guly do Prado 74).
Shots: 12; Shots On Goal: 4; Saves: 4; Fouls: 17; Corner Kicks: 3; Offsides: 2.
