BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.(Oct. 25, 2017) – The Chicago Fire were eliminated from the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs on Wednesday, falling 4-0 to the New York Red Bulls at Toyota Park.
New York scored twice in the first 11 minutes, and added two more in the second half as the Fire were pushing to get back into the game.
The Red Bulls struck first seven minutes into the match when Bradley Wright-Phillips finished from close range. Damien Perrinelle lofted a pass into the box and Wright-Phillips did the rest, with a chest trap and deft touch to circle Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson before tucking his shot into an open net.
New York doubled its lead soon after their first goal. Tyler Adams slid a cross into the six-yard box and Sacha Kljestan stepped in front of his marker before tapping his shot past Lampson.
Daniel Royer added a third for the Red Bulls midway through the second half. Sean Davis slipped a pass to Royer in the area, and then Royer turned and slotted his shot into the net from close range.
Gonzalo Veron capped the scoring with a chipped shot in the 87th minute.
The Fire hosted their first playoff game since 2012 following one of the best regular seasons in club history. Chicago’s 55 points were the fourth-most in 20 years of MLS play.
Postmatch Reactions: Paunovic | McCarty | Schweinsteiger
Audi MLS Cup Playoffs
Chicago Fire 0:4 New York Red Bulls
Oct. 25, 2017 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 11,647
Scoring Summary:
NY – Bradley Wright-Phillips (Damien Perrinelle) 7
NY – Sacha Kljestan (Tyler Adams, Bradley Wright-Phillips) 11
NY – Daniel Royer (Sean Davis) 71
NY – Gonzalo Veron (Sacha Kljestan) 87
Misconduct Summary:
NY – Gonzalo Veron (caution) 85
Chicago Fire: Matt Lampson; Matt Polster, Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira (Arturo Alvarez 70), Brandon Vincent; Dax McCarty ©, Djordje Mihailovic (Bastian Schweinsteiger 65); Luis Solignac, Juninho (David Arshakyan 70), David Accam; Nemanja Nikolic.
Subs not used: Richard Sanchez, Jonathan Campbell, Patrick Doody, Brandt Bronico.
Shots: 12; Shots On-Goal: 4; Saves: 2; Fouls: 8; Corners: 8; Offsides: 5
New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles; Michael Murillo, Aaron Long, Damien Perrinelle; Tyler Adams, Sean Davis, Felipe, Daniel Royer (Alex Muyl 83), Kemar Lawrence (Connor Lade 90+1); Sacha Kljestan, Bradley Wright-Phillips (Gonzalo Veron 77).
Subs not used: Ryan Mears, Fidel Escobar, Derrick Etienne, Vincent Bezecourt.
Shots: 11; Shots On-Goal: 6; Saves: 4; Fouls: 11; Corners: 1; Offsides: 2
