BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire picked up their first win of the 2015 season with a 1-0 result against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday at Toyota Park.
Offseason signing Adailton decided the match with his first career MLS goal late in the first half. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson also recorded his first shutout of the season thanks in part to a stalwart effort from his back line of Eric Gehrig, Jeff Larentowicz, Adailton and Lovel Palmer.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x57iXc7qEFk"></a> |
<b>Frank Yallop Postmatch Reaction</b> |
WATCH: Match Highlights | Adailton Interview | Jeff Larentowicz Interview
Despite missing Designated Players Shaun Maloney (Scotland) and David Accam (Ghana) due to international duty, Chicago dominated a majority of the match. The Fire out-shot their guests 16-7 and limited the Union to zero shots on goal.
Match Stats | Postmatch Quotes
The Fire came roaring out of the gates with a flurry of chances in the first 10 minutes. Designated Player Kennedy Igboananike had the first chance after finding himself free on goal, only to see his net-bound shot blocked at the last moment by a sliding challenge from Union defender Ethan White. Michael Stephens found the side-netting on a blast from the top of the box and Quincy Amarikwa had another attempt blocked minutes later.
At the 20-minute mark, Quincy Amarikwa nearly broke the deadlock with a feisty effort in front of goal. Igboananike volleyed a shot on target and directly toward Amarikwa, who attempted to redirect the shot. Amarikwa’s initial shot was blocked, but he took another swipe from the ground and would have celebrated if not for a point-blank save from Union goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi.
The Fire’s offensive persistence paid dividends in the 37th minute. Adailton headed home a perfectly taken free kick from second-year midfielder Harry Shipp at the near post for his first tally for the Men in Red.
Chicago nearly doubled their lead in the 55th minute after a Shipp to Igboananike connection. Shipp slid a weighted pass that sat between a pair of defenders and right in the path of Igboananike. The Nigerian striker slid and tapped a shot toward the far post, but Mbolhi made a key save to deny the scoring opportunity.
The Men in Red return to action on Saturday, April 4 against Toronto FC at Toyota Park. Kickoff is 2 p.m. CT on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire 1:0 Philadelphia Union
March 29, 2015 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 12,815
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Adailton (Harry Shipp) 37
Misconduct Summary:
PHI – Fred (ejection) 72
CHI – Sean Johnson (caution) 80
PHI – Maurice Edu (caution) 90
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Eric Gehrig, ©Jeff Larentowicz, Adailton, Lovel Palmer, Harry Shipp, Matt Polster, Michael Stephens, Joevin Jones (Guly do Prado 84), Kennedy Igboananike (Matt Watson 66), Quincy Amarikwa.
Shots: 16; Shots On Goal: 3; Saves: 0; Fouls: 12; Corner Kicks: 5; Offsides: 3.
Philadelphia Union: Rais Mbolhi, Fabinho, Ethan White (Eric Ayuk Mbu 83), Steven Vitoria, Raymon Gaddis, Michael Lahoud, ©Maurice Edu, Vincent Nogueira (Fred 67), Andrew Wenger (Antoine Hoppenot 86), Sebastien Le Toux, Fernando Aristeguieta.
Shots: 7; Shots On Goal: 0; Saves: 2; Fouls: 10; Corner Kicks: 4; Offsides: 5.
