Chicago Fire FC Extend Unbeaten Streak to Four Games with Draw Against Atlanta United FC at Soldier Field on Saturday Afternoon

CHICAGO (July 30, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC (7-10-6, 27 points) drew Atlanta United FC (6-9-7, 25 points) 0-0 at Soldier Field on Saturday afternoon, extending their unbeaten streak to four consecutive matches. With today’s result, the Fire have now kept 11 clean sheets in their last 15 regular season home matches, equaling the most shutouts at home in a 15-match span in MLS history. 

Throughout Saturday’s match, the Fire backline played a critical role in maintaining the clean sheet, despite being tested early and often by the visiting side. One of Atlanta’s most dangerous chances came in the 18th minute, forcing Gaga Slonina to come up with a massive diving save, stretching to deny the shot from Luiz De Araujo from inside the 18-yard-box.  

The scoreless match also featured a strong connection between Xherdan Shaqiri and Jairro Torres on display, with the pair generating numerous dangerous opportunities in the final third, but unable to capitalize on those chances going into the half. 

Ten minutes into the second half, the Fire finally found the back of the net as Shaqiri buried a shot off a cross from Miguel Navarro, however the goal was ultimately disallowed following a VAR Review that ruled Shaqiri offside.

The Fire continued to press throughout the final minutes of the match, holding onto 77 percent of the possession through the last 15 minutes. Second half substitutions Kacper Przybyłko, Gastón Giménez, Fabian Herbers and Brian Gutiérrez added fresh offensive pressure for the Fire’s attack, but neither side was able to find the difference maker and the match ended with the teams sharing a point each. 

NEXT MATCH: Chicago will travel south to face first-year MLS side Charlotte FC on Saturday, Aug. 6. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. CT, the match will be televised on WGN-TV and CF97 Live, and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM. 

Notes:

• The Fire have stopped the opposition from scoring a first-half goal in 17 of their 23 games this season. Only the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia Union (18) rank ahead of the Fire in that category this season.
• Chicago has kept clean sheets in 11 of their last 15 regular season home matches, equaling the most shutouts at home in a 15-match span in MLS history.
• The Fire have also kept the opposition scoreless in three of their last four matches, outscoring their opponents 6-1 during that stretch.
• During that four-match stretch, the Fire tallied three wins and one draw – accumulating 10 out of a possible 12 points.
• Gaga Slonina and the Fire backline have now logged 10 clean sheets on the season, ranking second in the league behind NYCFC and goalkeeper Sean Johnson (11).
• Slonina now leads the league with minutes played (2,070)

Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 0:0 Atlanta United FC

Goals:
None

Discipline:
CHI - Durán (Yellow Card) 41’
CHI - Shaqiri (Yellow Card) 63’
ATL - Sosa (Yellow Card) 81’
ATL - Dwyer (Yellow Card) 90+5’

Chicago Fire FC: GK Slonina, D Sekulić, D Terán (Giménez, 77’), D Cizchos ©, D M. Navarro, M Pineda, M F. Navarro, M Mueller (M Gutiérrez, 87’), M Shaqiri, M Torres (M Herbers, 87’), F Durán (Przybyłko, 61’)

Subs not used: GK Richey, D Reynolds II, D Burks, M Casas Jr., F Offor

Atlanta United FC: GK Novo, D Franco, D Purata, D Wiley (Moreno, 81’), D Campbell (M McFadden – 46’), M Sosa, M Almada, M Rossetto (Ibarra, 81’), F Martinez ©, F De Araujo (Gutman, 75’), F Cisneros (Dwyer, 81’)

Subs not used: GK Gudino, D De John, M Sejdic, M Chol

Stats Summary: CHI / ATL
Shots: 15 / 13
Shots on Goal: 3 / 2
Saves: 2 / 3
Passing Accuracy: 80% / 81.5%
Corners: 7 / 8
Fouls: 7 / 18
Offsides: 2 / 2
Possession: 49.3% / 50.7%

Referee: Tim Ford
Assistant Referees: Adam Wienckowski, Brian Poeschel
Fourth Official: Ricardo Fierro
VAR: Alex Chilowicz, TJ Zablocki