BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (Sept. 16, 2017) – Chicago Fire forward Nemanja Nikolic tied the club record for goals in a season with his 18th as his team routed visiting D.C. United 3-0 on Saturday at Toyota Park.
Nikolic’s 18th goal of the season came from the penalty spot in the 90th minute. He tied Ante Razov for the club record, a mark that has stood since the Fire’s third season in 2000.
Chicago (14-9-6, 48 pts.) was first to the scoreboard thanks to a D.C. United (8-17-4, 28 pts.) own goal in the 23rd minute. Matt Polster sent a long throw into the box, and D.C. United midfielder Ian Harkes’ attempted clearance went into the net.
Brandon Vincent doubled the lead early in the second half, heading home an inch-perfect cross from Arturo Alvarez. The goal was Vincent’s second in his last four games, and the second of his career. Meanwhile, Alvarez logged his second assist of the season and 30th of his 11-year MLS career. Fire Homegrown Player Drew Conner also earned an assist on the play, the first of his career.
Luis Solignac won the penalty that Nikolic finished in the game’s final moments.
Defensively, Matt Lampson earned his eighth shutout of the season, three better than his previous career high.
With five games remaining, the Fire are third in the Eastern Conference – three points behind New York City FC for second.
Postmatch Reactions: Paunovic | Alvarez | Vincent
The Fire return to action against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Talen Energy Stadium. Kickoff is 6 p.m. CT on Cozi TV and Univision Chicago 1200AM.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (14-9-6, 48 pts.) 3:0 D.C. United (8-17-4, 28 points)
Sept. 16, 2017 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 15,643
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Ian Harkes (own goal) 23’
CHI – Brandon Vincent (Arturo Alvarez, Drew Conner) 62’
CHI – Nemanja Nikolic (penalty kick) 90’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Brandon Vincent (caution) 15’
Chicago Fire: Matt Lampson; Matt Polster, Johan Kappelhof, Jonathan Campbell, Brandon Vincent; Dax McCarty ©, Drew Conner; Arturo Alvarez (Joao Meira 71’), Luis Solignac, David Accam; Nemanja Nikolic (David Arshakyan 90’+1’).
Subs not used: Richard Sanchez, Michael Harrington, Brandt Bronico, Djordje Mihailovic.
Shots: 21; Shots On-Goal: 8; Saves: 4; Fouls: 12; Corners: 9; Offsides: 1
D.C. United: Bill Hamid; Chris Odoi-Atsem, Steve Birnbaum © (Zoltan Stieber 78’), Kofi Opare, Nick DeLeon; Lloyd Sam, Russell Canouse; Paul Arriola (Bruno Miranda 84’), Luciano Acosta, Ian Harkes; Deshorn Brown (Patrick Mullins 65’).
Subs not used: Steve Clark, Chris Korb, Jalen Robinson, Marcelo Sarvas.
Shots: 10; Shots On-Goal: 5; Saves: 6; Fouls: 4; Corners: 3; Offsides: 2
