CHICAGO(June 23, 2021) - Chicago Fire FC (1-7-1, 4 points) dropped a 1-0 result to FC Cincinnati (2-5-1, 7 points) at Soldier Field on Wednesday night.
A scoreless first half was highlighted by Fire goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth who made nine saves, the most in a single half in his professional career. Shuttleworth, who was named Heineken Man of the Match, finished the game with a career-high 11 saves, tying the single match record for the Club.
Cincinnati scored the lone goal of the game in the 50th minute when midfielder Álvaro Barreal converted a left-footed free kick from 20-yards out. The Fire seemed to have tied up the game in the second minute of extra time, but Robert Berić’s goal was ruled offside after a VAR check.
NEXT GAME: Chicago Fire FC will return to Soldier Field on Saturday, June 26, taking on the Philadelphia Union at 7:00 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast live on WGN-TV, CFFC Live and TUDN 1200 AM. Saturday’s game will be the Club’s annual Pride Night and fans can secure their tickets for the match here.
NOTES:
- Fire defender Jhon Espinoza tallied the first start of his MLS career. The 22-year-old Ecuadorian youth international played 54 minutes in his debut.
- Tonight’s match was the first of four straight home games for the Club - the team’s longest homestand of the season. Chicago will face the Philadelphia Union (June 26), Atlanta United FC (July 3) and Orlando City SC (July 7) in its next three matches at Soldier Field.
- The Fire were without midfielders Przemysław Frankowski and Gastón Giménez due to international duty.
- Frankowski and Poland played their final match of the UEFA EURO 2020 group stage against Sweden earlier today. Coming on as a second half substitute, Frankowski provided a crucial assist to forward Robert Lewandowski to bring the game level 2-2 in the 84th minute. However, Sweden managed to find the game-winning goal in the third minute of second half stoppage time, eliminating Poland from the tournament.
- Meanwhile, Giménez is competing at Copa América for Paraguay's National Team in Group A. Paraguay, currently 1-0-1 in group play, is set to face Chile tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. CT.
- Play-by-play commentator Arlo White made his Soldier Field debut for the Chicago Fire broadcast tonight, joining U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Tony Meola and Tyler Terens, who provided commentary from the field. White is set to call the two next home games for Chicago. Read more here.
Goals:
FCC - Barreal (2) 50’
Discipline:
FCC - Barreal (Yellow Card) 79’
FCC - Vasquez (Yellow Card) 84’
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 0:1 FC Cincinnati
Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Sekulić, D Pineda (Terán 54’), D Calvo ©, D Navarro, M Kappelhoff (Medrán 54’), M Espinoza (Gutiérrez 54’), M Herbers, M Aliseda (Offor 79’), M Stojanović, F Berić
Subs not used: GK Slonina, D Bornstein, M Monis, M Collier, M Casas Jr.
FC Cincinnati: GK Vermeer, D Matarrita, D Vallecilla, D Cameron, D Gyaau, M Cruz, M Kubo, M Acosta, F Atanga (Lovadia), F Brenner (Vasquez 72’), F Barreal (Hagglund 83’)
Subs not used: GK Tyton, D Castillo, M Stanko, M Medunjanin, M Mokotjo, F Kovacevic
Stats Summary: CHI / FCC
Shots: 19 / 19
Shots on Goal: 2 / 12
Passing Accuracy: 74.4% / 69.3%
Saves: 11 / 2
Corners: 7 / 7
Fouls: 23 / 20
Total passes: 387 / 306
Offsides: 1 / 6
Possession: 56.5% / 43.5%
Attendance: 5,926 (limited capacity due to COVID-19-related safety protocols)
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Peter Manikowski
Fourth Official: Fotis Bazakos
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic, Michael Kampmeinert
