BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (May 5, 2018) – The Chicago Fire (2-4-2, 8 pts.) fell 2-1 against Eastern Conference leaders Atlanta United FC (7-1-1, 22 pts.) on Saturday at Toyota Park.
After the visitors took a 2-0 lead, Fire defender Kevin Ellis cut that deficit in half with a screamer in the 61st minute. Chicago had several half-chances for an equalizer and held 60-percent possession in the second half, but a point-earning goal eluded them.
Nikolić nearly opened the scoring in the ninth minute after he beat Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan with a low shot to the back post, but defender Michael Parkhurst blocked the shot off the goal line.
Following a scoreless first half, Atlanta found the net eight minutes into the second half. Miguel Almirón slipped a pass through the Fire’s backline to set up Ezequiel Barco for a left-footed finish off the crossbar and in from 6 yards out. Josef MartÃnez doubled that lead four minutes later with a tap-in at the end of a Darlington Nagbe and Greg Garza give-and-go.
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Ellis pulled the home side to within one soon after. Ellis chest-trapped an attempted clearance from an Atlanta defender, and then drilled a full-volleyed shot into the upper corner for his first career goal in Chicago.
The Fire return to the pitch Wednesday, May 9 against the Montreal Impact at Toyota Park (7:30 p.m. CT, ESPN+/Univision Deportes Chicago 1200AM).
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Chicago Fire 1:2 Atlanta United FC
May 5, 2018 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 15,024
Scoring Summary:
ATL – Ezequiel Barco (Miguel Almirón) 53’
ATL – Josef MartÃnez (Darlington Nagbe, Greg Garza) 57’
CHI – Kevin Ellis (unassisted) 61’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Johan Kappelhof (caution) 24’
ATL – Leandro González Pirez (caution) 65’
ATL – Ezequiel Barco (caution) 73’
CHI – Grant Lillard (caution) 80’
ATL – Héctor Villalba (caution) 90’+5’
Chicago Fire: Richard Sánchez; Kevin Ellis, Johan Kappelhof, Grant Lillard (Jonathan Campbell 81’), Brandon Vincent; Mo Adams (Alan Gordon 59’), Dax McCarty (C); Elliot Collier (Diego Campos 59’), Bastian Schweinsteiger, Aleksandar Katai; Nemanja Nikolić.
Subs not used: Patrick McLain, Brandt Bronico, Daniel Johnson, Tony Tchani.
Shots: 14; Shots On-Goal: 3; Fouls: 10; Saves: 4; Offsides: 2; Corners: 4.
Atlanta United FC: Brad Guzan; Franco Escobar (Miles Robinson 90’+1’), Michael Parkhurst, Leandro González Pirez; Julian Gressel, Darlington Nagbe, Miguel Almirón, Jeff Larentowicz, Greg Garza; Ezequiel Barco (Héctor Villalba 81’), Josef MartÃnez (Kevin Kratz 72’).
Subs not used: Paul Christensen, Sal Zizzo, Romario Williams, Brandon Vázquez.
Shots: 10; Shots On-Goal: 6; Fouls: 8; Saves: 2; Offsides: 5; Corners: 1.