BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire out-shot their guests 20-9, but it was the Colorado Rapids who came out victorious in the end with a 1-0 result at Toyota Park on Saturday.
Chicago fell behind in the first minute after a swift counterattack from the Rapids. Kevin Doyle sprung Gabriel Torres down the sideline and the Panamanian striker found Dillon Serna open at the 6-yard box for an easy tap-in.
Match Highlights | Match Stats | Postmatch Quotes
The Fire took control and peppered the Rapids’ goal with 20 shots during the remaining 89 minutes. David Accam had the first golden chance to equalize in the 13th minute. Joevin Jones sprinted into Colorado’s defensive third and sliced a cross through their back line, meeting Accam on the far side of the box. The Ghanaian Designated Player had a go with his left foot, but Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin sprawled to bat the shot away.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4GzYI_h20c4"></a> |
<b>Frank Yallop Postmatch Reaction</b> |
Chicago had another near-tally at the half-hour mark. Nyarko got on the other end of an Accam corner and volleyed a powerful shot low toward the far post. He beat Irwin, but sent it narrowly wide of the target.
Three minutes later, Kennedy Igboananike hit the post with a deflected shot. Michael Stephens won back possession in the Fire’s attacking half and began a passing sequence that ended with Igboananike staring at a defender inside the box. The Nigerian tried to send his shot underneath his mark, but it glanced away from its initial path and found the outside of the near post, earning the Fire a corner kick.
READ: Fire Searching for Answers After Loss to Rapids
The Fire hit the post again in the 92nd minute. Gilberto, making his home debut for the Fire, controlled a cross from Jones with a nifty touch and then slid to tap a shot past Irwin, but it hit the post and bounced away.
The Men in Red return to action on Wednesday, Aug. 26 against the New York Red Bulls at Toyota Park. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago Plus.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (6-13-5, 23 pts.) 0:1 Colorado Rapids (6-9-9, 27 pts.)
Aug. 22, 2015 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 18,317
Scoring Summary:
COL – Dillon Serna (Gabriel Torres, Kevin Doyle) 1
Misconduct Summary:
COL – Clint Irwin (caution) 10
CHI – Jeff Larentowicz (caution) 35
CHI – Patrick Nyarko (caution) 51
COL – Drew Moor (caution) 82
COL – Gabriel Torres (caution) 89
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Matt Polster, Eric Gehrig, ©Jeff Larentowicz, Joevin Jones, Patrick Nyarko (Gilberto 63), Matt Watson (Jason Johnson 69), Michael Stephens, David Accam, Harry Shipp (Mike Magee 85), Kennedy Igboananike.
Shots: 20; Shots On Goal: 4; Saves: 1; Fouls: 12; Corner Kicks: 9; Offsides: 1.
Colorado Rapids: Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, ©Bobby Burling, Sean St. Ledger, Maynor Figueroa, Nick LaBrocca, Dillon Powers (Charles Eloundou 77), Marcelo Sarvas, Gabriel Torres (Vicente Sanchez 89), Dillon Serna, Kevin Doyle.
Shots: 9; Shots On Goal: 2; Saves: 4; Fouls: 16; Corner Kicks: 5; Offsides: 3.
