BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.
(Sept. 30, 2017)
– The Chicago Fire drew 1-1 against visiting New York City FC in front of a sold-out crowd of 20,195 on Saturday at Toyota Park. The sellout was Chicago’s sixth of the season, one away from the most in club history – a mark set in 2007.
MLS Matchcenter | Highlights
Nemanja Nikolic provided Chicago’s lone goal, extending his club record for single-season tallies while climbing to the top spot by his lonesome in the 2017 MLS Golden Boot race.
The Fire (15-10-7, 52 pts.) were the aggressors from the outset, and that effort paid dividends with a 20th-minute goal from Nikolic. Matt Polster created the chance by pressing New York City FC midfielder Maxi Moralez in his own box. Polster kept at it from the edge of the box, into the 6-yard box where Moralez lost control, allowing Nikolic to tap home the goal.
Postmatch Reactions: Paunovic | Solignac
Chicago kept New York City (16-8-8, 56 pts.) on its back foot for much of the first half, but the guests still pulled level thanks to a strike from David Villa in the 43rd. Moralez lofted a pass to Villa near the top of the box, and Villa brought it down with his chest in traffic. Villa kept control and slotted into an open net with Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson off his line.
The result keeps Chicago in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with two matches remaining. The Fire are one point behind Atlanta United FC (15-8-8, 53 pts.) for third, and four behind New York City FC for second. The Columbus Crew are fifth (15-12-5, 50 pts.), while Toronto FC (19-5-8, 65 pts.) clinched the 2017 MLS Supporters’ Shield with a win tonight.
The Fire are off next week, but return to action for their final regular season home game on Sunday, Oct. 15 against the Philadelphia Union. Kickoff is 4 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago Plus and Univision Deportes 1200AM.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (15-10-7, 52 points) 1:1 New York City FC (16-8-8, 56 points)
Sept. 30, 2017 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 20,195
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Nemanja Nikolic (unassisted) 20’
NYC – David Villa (Maxi Moralez) 43’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Dax McCarty (caution) 16’
NYC – Maxi Moralez (caution) 73’
Chicago Fire:
Matt Lampson; Matt Polster, Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira, Brandon Vincent; Dax McCarty ©, Djordje Mihailovic; Arturo Alvarez (Bastian Schweinsteiger 71’), Michael de Leeuw (David Accam 30’, Jonathan Campbell 86’), Luis Solignac; Nemanja Nikolic.
Subs not used:
Richard Sanchez, Michael Harrington, Drew Conner, Brandt Bronico.
Shots:
7;
Shots On-Goal:
2;
Saves:
2;
Fouls:
14;
Corners:
1;
Offsides:
2
New York City FC:
Sean Johnson; Andraz Struna, Frederic Brillant, Alexander Callens, Ben Sweat; Yangel Herrera, Alexander Ring; Jack Harrison (Khiry Shelton 76’), Maxi Moralez, Tommy McNamara (Rodney Wallace 61’); David Villa ©.
Subs not used:
Eirik Johansen, Ethan White, Ronald Matarrita, Andrea Pirlo, Mikey Lopez.
Shots:
11;
Shots On-Goal:
3;
Saves:
1;
Fouls:
10;
Corners:
3;
Offsides:
3
