BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (May 25, 2019) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club (4-5-5, 17 points) extended its home unbeaten streak to six games (4-0-2) on Saturday afternoon after battling New York City FC (4-1-7, 19 points) to a 1-1 draw at SeatGeek Stadium. Forward CJ Sapong scored in the first half to tally the Fire’s 1000th regular season goal in Club history.
The Fire created a strong chance 11 minutes into the match when midfielder Dax McCarty clipped a diagonal ball over the top for midfielder Przemysław Frankowski. Cutting inside on his left foot, Frankowski curled a solid attempt that forced a save from goalkeeper Sean Johnson (WATCH).
Ten minutes later, the Men in Red created a dangerous opportunity to score when defender Francisco Calvo slipped the ball through for midfielder Aleksandar Katai. Streaking in behind the defense, Katai ventured into the 18-yard box and attempted to chip the ball over Johnson, who came off his line, but the midfielder’s crafty attempt struck the far post in the 21st minute of play (WATCH).
With just over 15 minutes remaining in the first half, the Fire took the lead when Sapong found the back of the net after the Men in Red produced a well-orchestrated attacking sequence. Receiving the ball on the far right side of the field, Frankowski slipped a through ball in behind the defense for midfielder Brandt Bronico, who played a dangerous cross into the six-yard box. To finish the play, Sapong slid to push the ball into the far corner (WATCH). The goal marked Sapong’s fifth of the season -- tied for most on the team with forward Nemanja Nikolić -- while Frankowski tallied his fourth assist and Bronico notched his first assist of the season.
Despite a strong effort from the Fire in the first half, NYCFC managed to equalize with five minutes remaining in the opening 45 when forward Alexandru Mitriță scored from distance to bring the visitors level.
The Fire began the second half with another close chance when Katai raced to the touchline and pulled the ball back for Sapong, whose first-time attempt from inside the 18-yard box was saved by Johnson in the 52ndminute (WATCH).
As the match began to approach its final stages, the Men in Red created another strong opportunity to take the lead when a quick combination play between defender Raheem Edwards and second half substitute Fabian Herbers yielded a close-range chance for Edwards. Running onto a well-weighted pass from Herbers, Edwards struck a low and powerful attempt on target, forcing a save from Johnson, who had to react quickly, in the 68thminute (WATCH).
Looking ahead, the Fire will travel to face D.C. United in a midweek contest on Wednesday, May 29. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT, the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and transmitted in Spanish locally on Univision Radio 93.5 Latino Mix.
Notes:
- Sapong scored his fifth goal of the season, which ranks tied as the most on the team.
- Sapong’s goal was the 1000th regular season goal in Club history. With the goal, the Fire becomes just the eighth MLS team to score 1000 regular season goals.
- Goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm made his MLS and Club debut in Saturday’s match.
- Frankowski recorded his fourth assist of the season, which ranks tied as the most on the team this season (Nicolás Gaitán).
- Bronico notched his first assist in 2019 and the sixth of his MLS career.
- The Fire’s home record against NYCFC currently stands at 2-1-2.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire 1:1 New York City FC
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Sapong (5) (Frankowski, Bronico) 28’
NYC – Mitriță (3) (Moralez) 40’
Misconduct Summary:
NYC – Ring (Caution) 53’
CHI – Katai (Caution) 80’
NYC – Tajouri-Shradi (Caution) 90’
CHI – Edwards (Caution) 90+1’
Chicago Fire: GK Kronholm, D Kappelhof, D Calvo, D Schweinsteiger, D Edwards, M McCarty ©, M Mihailović, M Frankowski (Nikolić 78’), M Bronico (Herbers 57’), M Katai (Martinez 88’), F Sapong
Subs not used: Ousted, Marcelo, Corrales, Adams
Shots: 11 Shots on goal: 5 Fouls Committed: 16 Fouls Suffered: 12 Offsides: 6 Corners: 4
New York City FC: GK Johnson, D Tinnerholm, D Chanot, D Callens, D Sands, D Matarrita (Ofori 65’), M Ring ©, M Rocha, F Mitriță (Tajouri-Shradi 90’), F Héber (Castellanos 78’), F Moralez
Subs not used: Stuver, Parks, Medina, Ibeagha, Castellano
Shots: 8 Shots on goal: 2 Fouls Committed: 12 Fouls Suffered: 16 Offsides: 0 Corners: 5
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Assistant Referees: Frank Anderson, Chris Elliot
Fourth Official: Elvis Osmanovic
VAR: Jon Freeman
Attendance: 10,986
