BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire saw the return of Designated Player David Accam on Wednesday at Toyota Park but, despite the Ghanaian’s late boost, the home side was unable to rally in a 1-0 loss to Columbus Crew SC.
The Fire were without a number of regular starters and were pressed to rotate two rookies on the left side of their defense with the absence of offseason acquisitions Adailton (yellow card accumulation suspension) and Joevin Jones (international duty). Chicago fell behind late in the first half and pushed for an equalizer over the final 45 minutes, but couldn’t quite find the net.
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Crew SC broke through in the 41st minute on a counterattack. Ethan Finlay took the ball to the end line and then lofted a cross to Kei Kamara on the doorstep. The league’s leading scorer didn’t waste his chance, heading it past the outstretched arms of Sean Johnson for his 13th goal of the season.
Columbus had several chances to push their lead, but were denied time-and-again by Johnson. Chicago’s 26-year-old keeper ended the night with a season-high six saves.
MLS Matchcenter: Stats and Match Timeline | Sean Johnson Postmatch
The Fire’s best chance for a game-tying goal came from Accam. Making his first appearance since June 6 after missing time due to international duty and then a hamstring strain, Accam was an immediate threat once he entered the match for Chris Ritter in the 72nd minute. He created several chances while operating on the left flank and forced Columbus goalkeeper Steve Clark to make a leaping save in the 80th minute. Accam cut back and opened up space near the top of the box before uncorking his shot, which was pushed away for a Chicago corner.
The Men in Red return to action on Sunday, July 19 against the Columbus Crew at MAPFRE Stadium. Kickoff is 4 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (5-10-3, 18 pts.) 0:1 Columbus Crew SC (7-7-6, 27 pts.)
July 15, 2015 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 14,092
Scoring Summary:
CLB – Kei Kamara (Ethan Finlay) 41
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Chris Ritter (caution) 46
CHI – Eric Gehrig (caution) 63
CLB – Chad Barson (caution) 77
CLB – Steve Clark (caution) 90+3
CHI – David Accam (caution) 90+5
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Lovel Palmer, Eric Gehrig, Matt Polster, Patrick Doody, Michael Stephens (Patrick Nyarko 58), Razvan Cocis, Chris Ritter (David Accam 72), Harry Shipp, ©Mike Magee, Kennedy Igboananike (Jason Johnson 58).
Shots: 8; Shots On Goal: 2; Saves: 6; Fouls: 13; Corner Kicks: 7; Offsides: 1.
Columbus Crew SC: Steve Clark, Chad Barson (Chris Klute 81), ©Michael Parkhurst, Tyson Wahl, Waylon Francis, Ethan Finlay, Tony Tchani, Wil Trapp, Justin Meram (Kristinn Steindorsson 65), Federico Higuain, Kei Kamara (Aaron Schoenfeld 90+4).
Shots: 14; Shots On Goal: 7; Saves: 2; Fouls: 15; Corner Kicks: 9; Offsides: 2.
