CHICAGO (Sept. 26, 2021) - Playing a third game in seven days, Chicago Fire FC (6-15-6, 24 points) battled Nashville SC (11-3-12, 45 points) to a 0-0 draw at Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon. The result marked the Fire’s sixth clean sheet of the season.
Chicago homegrown goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, 17, made his third consecutive start and fourth appearance of the campaign. The Addison, Ill., native made four saves in the contest to tally his second career shutout, including a big reactionary save on a point-blank header in the 74th minute.
Controlling the possession throughout the match (63.2% - 36.8%), the Fire came close to finding the breakthrough goal in the 90th minute when midfielder Gastón Giménez slipped forward Robert Berić in behind on goal. However, goalkeeper Joe Willis came off his line and smothered the Slovenian’s shot on goal.
NEXT GAME: The Fire will finish its three-game homestand on Wednesday, Sept. 29 against New York City FC at SeatGeek Stadium at 7:00 p.m. CT (WGN-TV, CFFC Live and TUDN 1200 AM). The match was relocated to SeatGeek Stadium due to a conflict with the Chicago Bears’ schedule at Soldier Field. Following the game against NYCFC, the Fire will play five of its six remaining regular season games on the road. The Club’s regular season home finale will take place on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m. CT against Real Salt Lake.
NOTES:
- The Fire have lost just two of their last 10 home matches dating back to June 26 (4-2-4).
- Six of the 11 Fire players in today’s starting lineup were 23 years of age or younger.
- The shutout marked the sixth of the season for the Fire.
- Slonina tallied his second shutout in four career appearances this season.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 0:0 Nashville SC
Goals:
None
Discipline:
CHI - Pineda (Yellow Card) 50’
NSH - Anunga (Yellow Card) 56’
Chicago Fire FC: GK G. Slonina, D Kappelhof (Omsberg 73’), D Pineda, D Bornstein ©, M Espinoza (Herbers 62’), M F. Navarro, M M. Navarro, M Giménez, M Medrán (Offor 62’), F Berić, F Aliseda
Subs not used: GK Shuttleworth, M Casas Jr., M Monis, F Collier, F Ivanov
Nashville SC: GK Willis, D Lovitz, D Romney, D Maher, D Johnston (Miller 90+2’), D Zimmerman, M McCarty © (Godoy 73’), M Muyl (Haakenson 73’), M Anunga, F Leal (Loba 62’), F Cádiz (Rios 62’)
Subs not used: GK Meredith, D Anibaba, D Washington, M Mukhtar
Stats Summary: CHI / NSH
Shots: 8 / 5
Shots on Goal: 3 / 4
Passing Accuracy: 84.0% / 71.8%
Saves: 4 / 3
Corners: 5 / 3
Fouls: 13 / 13
Offsides: 1 / 4
Possession: 63.2% / 36.8%
Attendance: 15,915
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson, Charles Morgante
Fourth Official: Timothy Ford
VAR: Alan Kelly, Eric Boria
