Saturday was certainly a night to remember for anyone present at Toyota Park and surely for many across the country who watched as the Chicago Fire ran away from the Seattle Sounders in the second half en route to a 4-1 victory. Here's a look at a few of the most notable outcomes from the contest:
- Chicago's breakout offensive performance ended with the club's first four-goal game since it notched five in a 5-4 win over the New York Red Bulls back on May 10, 2014. Prior to Saturday, the Fire had not put up four goals at home since July 20, 2013 vs. D.C. United.
- The prolific performance also was reflected in the assists column. Six different players were credited with assists on the night (primary or secondary), marking the first time since August 14, 2002 -- a 5-1 win vs. Kansas City -- that six or more Fire players recorded an assist in the same match.
- The Fire picked up their second-ever win over Seattle, making it back-to-back home victories in the series (previous: July 11, 2015).
- Chicago continued its fine form at Toyota Park, having lost only once in its last 18 MLS home matches dating to last season. The Fire are 4-0-1 at home in 2017.
- With his two-goal night and Man of the Match performance, Nemanja Nikolic continued his ascent up the MLS scoring charts; as of Saturday night, Nikolic is tied with Houston's Erick "Cubo" Torres for the MLS lead with eight goals in 2017. Nikolic's eight goals in 10 games with the Fire tie Mike Magee's total (2013) for most goals through a player's first 10 matches with the Chicago Fire.
- Nikolic has now scored seven goals in his last six games.
- Likewise, David Accam remained red-hot, recording a goal and an assist for the second straight game, bringing his career MLS goals total to 23 -- good for sole possession of sixth on the club's all-time list. His 28 goals in all competitions are tied with Damani Ralph for sixth in Fire history.
- Chicago is now 2-0-1 against Western Conference teams this season, with two of their next three matches also coming against cross-conference opponents (vs. Colorado, vs. FC Dallas).
- Midfielder Dax McCarty wore the captain's armband for the Men In Red.
- Forward Michael de Leeuw returned to the Starting XI after consecutive appearances off the bench for the Men In Red, picking up an assist on David Accam's go-ahead goal in the 60th minute.
- Third-year player Matt Polster made his 2017 debut as a reserve, entering the match at right back in the 71st minute. Polster, who has now played 58 games for the Fire with 51 starts, sustained a knee injury early in training camp that kept him away from match action until Saturday.
- Goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland appeared in the matchday squad for the first time in his rookie season, serving as the backup to Matt Lampson with Jorge Bava sidelined due to an injury sustained in training this week.
- Brazilian midfielder Juninho was absent from Saturday's match with an ankle injury suffered at LA Galaxy last Saturday.
- The game was played in front of an announced sellout crowd of 20,153, the first sellout at Toyota Park since Sept. 19, 2015 against Orlando City SC.
