BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire fell 1-0 against Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United Wednesday night at Toyota Park.
Postmatch Quotes | Yallop Reaction | Larentowicz Reaction
Despite a staunch advantage in possession (62-38), the Fire were unable to find the net in what turned into a defensive chess match. The sides were scoreless until the 73rd minute when D.C. United midfielder Conor Doyle unleashed a brilliant strike into the upper corner from 25 yards out.
Match Stats and OPTA Chalkboard | Match Highlights
Chicago Designated Player Kennedy Igboananike had the game’s first golden chance with a one-on-one on the break in the 29th minute. Razvan Cocis won a ball in the attacking half of the field, springing Igboananike with the deflection. The Nigerian striker narrowly stayed on side, carried the ball into the left side of the box and the drilled the post from a tight angle.
The teams traded half-chances through the rest of the match, but neither side was able to break through until Doyle’s wünder strike.
The Fire were without the services of two Designated Players – David Accam (hamstring) and Shaun Maloney (back) – as well as standout rookie Matt Polster (yellow card accumulation). Trinidadian international Joevin Jones also had to come off at halftime due to illness.
The Men in Red return to action on Tuesday, June 30 in U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 action against the Charlotte Independence (USL) at Toyota Park. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. CT with a livestream available at Chicago-Fire.com
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (4-9-2, 14 pts.) 0:1 D.C. United (10-5-4, 34 pts.)
June 24, 2015 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 11,833
Scoring Summary:
DC – Conor Doyle (unassisted) 73’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Chris Ritter (caution) 45’
CHI – Guly do Prado (caution) 79’
DC – Steve Birnbaum (caution) 90’
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Eric Gehrig, Jeff Larentowicz ©, Adailton, Greg Cochrane, Harry Shipp, Razvan Cocis, Chris Ritter (Mike Magee 74’), Joevin Jones (Jason Johnson 46’), Guly Do Prado, Kennedy Igboananike.
Subs not used: Jon Busch, Lovel Palmer, Matthew Watson, Michael Stephens, Quincy Amarikwa
Shots: 8; Shots On Goal: 1; Saves: 3; Fouls: 16; Corner Kicks: 2; Offsides: 7.
D.C. United: Bill Hamid, Steve Birnbaum, Bobby Boswell, Kofi Opare, Luke Mishu, Miguel Aguilar, Facundo Coria (Nick DeLeon 63’), Markus Halsti, Conor Doyle (Perry Kitchen 79’), Luis Silva (Fabian Espindola 70’), Jairo Arrieta.
Subs not used: Taylor Kemp, Andrew Dykstra, Chris Rolfe, Jared Jeffrey
Shots: 8; Shots On Goal: 4; Saves: 1; Fouls: 14; Corner Kicks: 2; Offsides: 8.
