NEW YORK CITY (Sept. 23, 2016) – The Chicago Fire fell 4-1 against New York City FC on Friday at Yankee Stadium.
The Fire fell behind 2-0 early, but cut the deficit in half thanks to Luis Solignac in the 35th minute. Arturo Alvarez came inches away from equalizing before the halftime whistle with a left-footer off the post, but New York City FC ultimately pulled away with two more goals.
The home side opened the scoring with an early flurry. Jefferson Mena tallied in the eighth minute, polishing off a cross on the doorstep from Khiry Shelton. One minute later, Shelton found David Villa open at the top of the box and the Spaniard tucked his shot inside the right corner for a 2-0 lead.
The Fire battled back with a goal of their own in the 35th minute. Alvarez served the cross and Solignac headed home his second goal in a Chicago uniform.
Alvarez nearly leveled the match late in the first half with a left-footed blast that drew post. The deflection came back into play, struck NYCFC goalkeeper Josh Saunders in the head, and then bounced out of bounds for a Chicago corner kick.
Soon after, Villa was running toward the Fire’s goal on a counter attack before spotting teammate Steven Mendoza open in the center of the field. Mendoza then ripped a shot that dipped into the upper corner to register the halftime scoreline of 3-1.
Villa capped the scoring with his second goal of the match in the 83rd minute. Villa took a pass from Shelton, cut back in the box to create space, and then picked out the upper left corner.
The Men in Red return to action against Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on Wednesday, September 28. Kickoff is 9:30 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago and 97.5 Poder.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (6-14-9, 27 points) 1:4 New York City FC (13-9-9, 48 points)
September 23, 2016 – Yankee Stadium
Attendance: 25,011
Scoring Summary:
NYC – Jefferson Mena (Khiry Shelton, Ronald Matarrita) 8
NYC – David Villa (Khiry Shelton) 9
CHI – Luis Solignac (Arturo Alvarez, Matt Polster) 35
NYC – Steven Mendoza (David Villa) 44
NYC – David Villa (Khiry Shelton) 83
Misconduct Summary:
NYC – Frederic Brillant (caution) 72
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Rodrigo Ramos (Jonathan Campbell 58), Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira, Michael Harrington (Khaly Thiam 84), Matt Polster, Razvan Cocis ©, Arturo Alvarez, Michael de Leeuw (David Arshakyan 77), David Accam, Luis Solignac.
Shots: 13; Shots On-Goal: 4; Saves: 5; Fouls: 8; Corners: 8; Offsides: 9
New York City FC: Josh Saunders, Jason Hernandez (RJ Allen 72), Frederic Brillant, Jefferson Mena, Ronald Matarrita, Steven Mendoza (Jack Harrison 58), Andoni Iraola, Andrea Pirlo, Khiry Shelton, David Villa ©, Thomas McNamara (Federico Bravo 79).
Shots: 18; Shots On-Goal: 9; Saves: 3; Fouls: 10; Corners: 2; Offsides: 2
