CHICAGO(May 22, 2021) - Chicago Fire FC (1-4-1, 4 points) recorded its first win and first clean sheet of the season, defeating Inter Miami CF (2-3-2, 8 points) at Soldier Field on Saturday evening. After creating a number of chances in the first half, including Przemysław Frankowski hitting the crossbar in the 21st minute, the Fire eventually found the breakthrough goal in the 69th minute when midfielder Luka Stojanović scored a long-range free kick, notching his third goal of the season.
NEXT GAME: Chicago Fire FC will play a second straight match at Soldier Field when the team faces CF Montreal on Saturday, May 29. Beginning at Noon CT, the match will be broadcast live on WGN-TV, CFFC Live and Latino Mix 93.5 FM. Tickets for the match against Montreal are currently on sale.
NOTES:
- Stojanović tallied his team-leading third goal in the 69th minute, converting a long-range free kick. It was the midfielder’s second goal at Soldier Field in 2021.
- The 1-0 victory marked the team’s first overall win, home win and clean sheet of the 2021 season.
- The Fire outshot (20-4), including a 7-1 edge in shots on target, and out-possessed (57.4%-42.6%) Inter Miami.
- Homegrown product Brian Gutiérrez earned his first-ever start at Soldier Field. The 17-year-old earned his first career start against D.C. United in the team's previous match, becoming the youngest Homegrown signing and third-youngest player overall in Club history to start for the Fire.
- Starting his first professional match in his hometown, Gutiérrez displayed an impressive performance with several highlight-reel plays.
- Midfielder Fabian Herbers received his first start of 2021, having recovered from a right knee injury he picked up during preseason. Herbers was named Heineken Man of the Match for his efforts.
- MLS Commissioner Don Garber attended tonight’s match, which was the first-ever meeting between Chicago and Inter Miami.
- The Fire wore their brand-new 2021 secondary kits at Soldier Field for the first time in 2021.
- Additionally, as part of Soccer For All week in Major League Soccer and ahead of LGBTQ+ Pride month in June, the Fire wore their "Love Unites" training tops prior to kickoff.
Goals:
CHI - Stojanović (3) 69’
Discipline:
CHI - Medrán (Yellow Card) 9’
IMCF - González PÃrez (Yellow Card) 22’
IMCF - Ulloa (Yellow Card) 31’
IMCF - Robinson (Yellow Card) 61’
IMCF - Shawcross (Yellow Card) 67’
IMCF - Matuidi (Yellow Card) 68’
IMCF - Figal (Yellow Card) 85’
CHI - Offor (Yellow Card) 89’
CHI - Sekulić (Yellow Card) 90’+1’
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 1:0 Inter Miami CF
Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Sekulić, D Omsberg, D Calvo ©, D Navarro, M Pineda, M Herbers (Collier 68’), M Frankowski, M Medrán (Kappelhof 83’), M Gutiérrez (Stojanović 59’), F Berić (Offor 83’)
Subs not used: GK G. Slonina, D Bornstein, D Espinoza, M Casas Jr.
Inter Miami CF: GK McCarthy, D Ulloa (Makoun 63’), D Shawcross, D González PÃrez (Figal 46’), D Jones (Guediri 78’), M Matuidi, M Gregore, M Shea (Robinson 46’), M F. HiguaÃn (Carranza 54’), M Morgan, F G. HiguaÃn
Subs not used: GK Castanheira, D Leerdam, M Chapman, F Azcona
Stats Summary: CHI / IMCF
Shots: 20 / 4
Shots on Goal: 7 / 1
Passing Accuracy: 82.8% / 74.1%
Saves: 1 / 5
Corners: 12 / 3
Fouls: 14 / 20
Total passes: 428 / 324
Offsides: 2 / 2
Possession: 57.4% / 42.6%
Attendance: 10,844 (limited capacity due to COVID-19-related safety protocols)
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
Assistant Referees: Peter Manikowski, Kevin Klinger
Fourth Official: Adam Kilpatrick
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic, Eric Boria
