BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Kennedy Igboananike continued his hot form, rallying the Chicago Fire to a 3-2 win against the New York Red Bulls with a pair of goals on Wednesday at Toyota Park.
The win brings the Fire to within two points of the sixth-place Montreal Impact for the sixth and final Eastern Conference MLS Cup Playoff spot. The Impact do have three games in-hand on Chicago, but the two sides will meet in crucial matches on Sept. 5 and Sept. 23 in Montreal.
Igboananike scored Chicago’s first and final goals, equalizing an early deficit and then capping the comeback with a 73rd-minute half-volley. The Nigerian striker has eight goals in all competitions for the Fire this season, including four in his last three games. Patrick Nyarko accounted for the Fire’s third goal while recently-signed Designated Player Gilberto and Michael Stephens had two assists apiece.
Match Highlights | Photo Gallery | Playing with Perseverance
New York took the lead in the 10th minute after Jeff Larentowicz was whistled for a foul on a Red Bulls corner kick. Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson guessed correctly on the ensuing penalty kick, but Sacha Kljestan’s shot still found the net.
The Fire didn’t take long to equalize. Matt Polster stepped in front of a Red Bulls pass near midfield in the 22nd minute and quickly found Gilberto. The Brazilian forward turned and slotted Kennedy Igboananike with a through ball. Igboananike won a footrace to the pass and buried his shot into the lower left corner.
Postmatch Reaction: Frank Yallop | Gilberto | K. Igboananike
Gilberto nearly scored a goal of his own in the 28th minute, rising higher than anyone to win a header on a Fire corner kick. His shot was on target, but Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles sprawled to knock it off the line with his feet.
The Fire took the lead three minutes before halftime on a beautiful passing sequence. Gilberto zipped the ball to Michael Stephens near the top of the box and the midfielder redirected with a pass off of his chest to Nyarko. Nyarko collected off his chest and then swung around to crush a left-footed shot past Robles for his third goal of 2015.
Match Stats and OPTA Chalkboard | Postmatch Quotes
New York resorted to trickery for their second goal of the night. Lloyd Sam stepped on the ball at the corner flag on a corner kick, creating a live play. However, the ball remained in its spot for several seconds before Kljestan dribbled out with Chicago’s defense unaware. Kljestan whipped in a cross and Ronald Zubar knocked in the equalizer four minutes into the second half.
Igboananike’s second goal of the game secured maximum points for Chicago. Stephens started the sequence with a perfectly-placed looping pass using the outside of his right foot, landing the ball at David Accam’s feet. Accam took a touch and then fed an open Igboananike for the half-volley finish.
The win extends Chicago’s home-unbeaten streak against the Red Bulls to 14 games. The Fire are 9-0-5 during that stretch and have never lost against New York at Toyota Park. Chicago’s last home loss against New York came on May 14, 2005 at Soldier Field.
The Men in Red return to action on Saturday, Aug. 29 against Orlando City SC at the Citrus Bowl. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago Plus.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (7-13-5, 26 pts.) 3:2 New York Red Bulls (11-7-6, 39 pts.)
Aug. 26, 2015 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 11,196
Scoring Summary:
NY – Sacha Kljestan (penalty kick) 10
CHI – Kennedy Igboananike (Gilberto) 22
CHI – Patrick Nyarko (Gilberto, Michael Stephens) 41
NY – Ronald Zubar (Sacha Kljestan, Lloyd Sam) 49
CHI – Kennedy Igboananike (David Accam, Michael Stephens) 73
Misconduct Summary:
NY – Connor Lade (caution) 19
NY – Dax McCarty (caution) 40
CHI – Matt Polster (caution) 70
NY – Matt Miazga (caution) 87
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Matt Polster, Eric Gehrig, ©Jeff Larentowicz, Joevin Jones (Lovel Palmer 76), Patrick Nyarko (Harry Shipp 72), Razvan Cocis, Michael Stephens, David Accam, Kennedy Igboananike, Gilberto (Jason Johnson 62).
Shots: 17; Shots On Goal: 9; Saves: 0; Fouls: 11; Corner Kicks: 10; Offsides: 0.
New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles, Connor Lade, Matt Miazga, Ronald Zubar, Anthony Wallace, Lloyd Sam (Sal Zizzo 87), ©Dax McCarty, Felipe (Sean Wright-Phillips 76), Sacha Kljestan, Mike Grella (Gonzalo Veron 63), Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Shots: 9; Shots On Goal: 2; Saves: 6; Fouls: 12; Corner Kicks: 10; Offsides: 2.
