ATLANTA(Oct. 21, 2018) - The Chicago Fire (8-18-7, 31 points) fell 2-1 to Atlanta United FC (21-6-6, 69 points) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Midfielder Michael de Leeuw scored the Fire's goal in the first half, notching his second of the season.
The hosts opened the scoring in the ninth minute when defender Franco Escobar curled a low, left-footed shot into the far corner.
The Fire equalized in the 24th minute when defender Bastian Schweinsteiger played the ball forward for midfielder Brandt Bronico, who turned and found midfielder Djordje Mihailovic inside the 18-yard box. The Homegrown midfielder flicked the ball to de Leeuw, who powered home a right-footed shot from close range.
Atlanta United regained the lead two minutes later when a cross to the near post was deflected, causing an own goal in the 26th minute of play.
The Men in Red will conclude the 2018 season against D.C. United at Toyota Park on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 3:30 p.m. CT (ESPN+/Univision Radio WRTO AM 1200). Coverage begins at 3:15 p.m. CT with a live pregame show on ESPN+ presented by CIBC.
Chicago Fire 1:2 Atlanta United FC
Oct. 21, 2018 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Attendance: 71,812
Scoring Summary:
ATL - Franco Escobar (1) (Josef Martinez) 9'
CHI - Michael de Leeuw (2) (Djordje Mihailovic, Brandt Bronico) 24'
ATL - Johan Kappelhof (own goal) 26'
Misconduct Summary:
CHI - Johan Kappelhof (caution) 72'
ATL - Eric Remedi (caution) 81
Chicago Fire: Patrick McLain, Diego Campos (Matt Polster 73'), Johan Kappelhof, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Brandon Vincent; Dax McCarty ©, Brandt Bronico; Michael de Leeuw (Raheem Edwards 64'), Djordje Mihailovic (Yura Movsisyan 73'), Aleksandar Katai; Nemanja Nikolic
Subs not used: Stefan Cleveland, Jonathan Campbell, Jorge Corrales, Alan Gordon
Shots: 7; Shots On-Goal: 1; Fouls: 11; Saves: 4; Offsides: 3; Corners: 5
Atlanta United FC: Brad Guzan, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Michael Parkhurst ©, Franco Escobar, Chris McCann; Julian Gressel, Darlington Nagbe, Eric Remedi; Ezequiel Barco (Kevin Kratz, 86), Andrew Carleton (Jeff Larentowicz 67'), Josef Martinez
Subs not used: Alec Kann, Greg Garza, Miles Robinson, George Bello, Lagos Kunga
Shots: 13; Shots On-Goal: 5; Fouls: 11; Saves: 1; Offsides: 1; Corners: 4
