The visiting Chicago Fire (7-2-1, 22 pts.) secured the full three points against Real Salt Lake (2-7-0, 6 pts.) in MLS Reserve League via a 1-0 victory this morning at XanGo Field, the result ending the season for the Central/Mountain Division champion Men in Red. The two teams played a back-and-forth affair before the Fire took control of the contest in the second half, the Utah side unable to hold off Chicago’s dangerous counter-attack until the end as Fire forward Kellen Gulley hit paydirt in the 75th minute for the game’s lone tally.
The teams played a scoreless first 45 minutes, highlighted by quality opportunities to open and close the half. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Tim Melia was forced to make his only save of the opening stanza in the fifth minute on a strike from forward Aaron King. The Claret-and-Cobalt controlled much of the possession throughout the half but would have little to show in the shots department. The two sides did trade scoring chances in the closing moments, but a free kick opportunity by Chicago midfielder Baggio Husidic and a quick counter-attack finish RSL midfielder Nico Muñiz both went begging in the final minute before the break.
Both sides made line-up changes early in the second half, including Gulley coming on for an injured Cristian Nazarit in the 49th minute. Gulley would go on to break the scoreless deadlock with a quarter-hour left, as a raced onto a through ball at the top of the area. A hard-charging Melia was able to save the initial attempt, but the rebound continued towards goal, and Gulley ushered the ball into the back of the net to put the visitors on top. Melia would keep the game within reach for RSL by denying King on another breakaway opportunity in the 83rd minute, just moments before another King scoring chance from the left side of the area deflected off the near post.
While Chicago’s return to MLS Reserve League play is finished for 2011, the same cannot be said for Real Salt Lake, which will look to end its struggling campaign on a positive note this Saturday, Oct. 15 against its Rocky Mountain Cup rival, the Colorado Rapids (3-5-1, 10 pts.), at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Kellen Gulley (unassisted) 75
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Yamith Cuesta (caution; Reckless Tackle) 7
RSL – Julio Alarcon (caution; Reckless Tackle) 62
CHI – Pari Pantazopoulos (caution; Reckless Tackle) 63
Real Salt Lake Reserves – Tim Melia; Chris Schuler, Rauwshan McKenzie, Donny Toia (Blake Wagner 59’), #Julio Alarcon; #Nico Muñiz (#Jordan Allen 73), Yordany Alvarez, Collen Warner, Luis Gil (Nelson González 56’); Cody Arnoux (Chris Agorsor 54’), Paulo Jr.
Substitutes Not Used: Kyle Reynish.
Chicago Fire Reserves – Jon Conway (Alex Dufty 46’); Pari Pantazopoulos, Yamith Cuesta, Kwame Watson-Siriboe; Baggio Husidic, Corben Bone, Mike Videira, Victor Pineda, Mike Banner (#Colin Audley 51’); Cristian Nazarit (#Kellen Gulley 49’), #Aaron King.
Substitutes Not Used: None
#= Denotes guest/Academy player
Referee: Tyler Ploeger
Weather: Sunny, 44 degrees
