KANSAS CITY(Sunday, July 6, 2014) – The Chicago Fire (2-4-10, 16 points) earned a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City at Sporting Park on Sunday, July 6. The hosts opened scoring in the 33rd minute when Dom Dwyer capitalized on a defensive miscue but reigning MLS MVP Mike Magee scored in the 40th minute as the Fire escape with a point.
Next up for the Men in Red is a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal matchup against NASL side Atlanta Silverbacks at Silverback Park in Atlanta, Ga. on Wednesday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The Fire return to MLS action three days later against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, July 12 at 6:30 p.m. CT (My50/TWC Wisconsin/La Ley 107.9 FM).
MATCH REPORT: http://bit.ly/1ocAZdT
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: http://bit.ly/TMx3rR
Quotes:
Chicago Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop
On a 1-1 draw against Sporting KC…
“First off, I thought we played well—an even game. I think we moved the ball well. It had been physical in the first 20 minutes of the match. We had a game plan to come in and try to do that and find little pockets and little holes and play in between the lines. I thought we did a great job, we just ran out of steam. We had a couple injuries. Alex was off at halftime, and Jhon (Kennedy Hurtado)’s got dizzy spells. So late in the game, when you want to make your subs make a difference, we couldn’t do that. Credit to Kansas City, they really pushed and in the end could have won it, but I was proud of the way we hung in there. So we could win a few more games, but we can tie them for sure.”
On the impact of the weather…
“It’s huge. The thing for me is that we don’t quit…and we didn’t. We kept going and tried to do the right things and moved the ball well. I thought Harry Ship was good today. He finds the pocket and finds good spaces. But in general, I thought we did OK. We have tied a lot of games and it’s frustrating when that’s probably one of the games that Kansas City probably deserved to win. But a lot of other times we pretty much were on the verge of winning the match. So it’s a close thing for us right now. Today was a good fight and spirit, with injuries and with stuff that went on. To get a point here, as you guys know, it is very difficult.”
Chicago Fire midfielder Logan Pause
On a 1-1 draw against Sporting KC…
“This is a tough place to play against a good team with a great crowd. But at the end of the day, not many people can come here and get a draw out of it. It's a good point or us.”
On using U.S. Open Cup results to build momentum…
“We know we have a lot of work to do, but I think we've gotten some good results in the Open Cup that have given us a little momentum and a push. So we are excited to keep that going.”
On Mike Magee's goal…
“When Mike [Magee] gets in those types of situations, he is clinical. He does a fantastic job running off defenders shoulders. It was a fantastic job by Chris Ritter to put him in behind.”
On preparing for another midweek game…
“We are going to have some tired legs, so it will be up to the staff, but hopefully we can take some momentum into Wednesday. We have a big Cup game and then it's back to League play over the weekend.”
Chicago Fire forward Harry Shipp
On a 1-1 draw against Sporting KC…
“It was hot. I think the first half we did a pretty good job defending and countering when they turned it over. In the second half, they were a little better on the ball. In the last 30 minutes they wore us down, running in the heat, and shuttling back and forth took its toll on us. It was tough for us to connect passes in the last 30 minutes.”
On using Open Cup success to build momentum…
“Any time you get a win, especially when we struggle to get wins in the League, it's imperative for us. It hasn't turned into a League victory today, but hopefully in the next couple weeks it will turn into a couple wins.”
On a demanding July with MLS play and the U.S. Open Cup…
“We have a busy month. We have a mid-week game and a weekend game almost every week. It's important to keep our bodies rested and fresh when we aren't playing.”
Notes:
-Fire captain Jeff Larentowicz missed the match as he and his wife welcomed their first child, a son, early Sunday morning.
-Prior to today, Larentowicz was the only field player to play ever minute thus far this season.
-The Fire were without the services of forward Quincy Amarikwa, who was serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
-With the appearance, Gonzalo Segares moves past Zach Thornton into third all-time on the club’s MLS appearance list with 216.
-Magee’s equalizer in the 40th minute was his third this season against Sporting KC.
Chicago Fire 1 – 1 Sporting Kansas City
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson; Lovel Palmer, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Bakary Soumare 65’), Patrick Ianni, Gonzalo Segares; Grant Ward (Matt Watson 80’), Logan Pause, Chris Ritter, Alex (Dilly Duka 46’); Harry Shipp, Mike Magee ©
Substitutes not used: Kyle Reynish; Greg Cochrane, Matt Fondy
Sporting Kansas City: Eric Kronberg; Seth Sinovic, Kevin Ellis, Igor Juliao, Aurelien Collin; Benny Feilhaber, Paulo Nagamura © (Sal Zizzo 79’), Lawrence Olum; Jacob Peterson, Dominic Dwyer (CJ Sapong 79’), Soony Saad (Graham Zusi 62’)
Substitutes not used: Jimmy Medranda, Andy Gruenebaum, Mikey Lopez, Erik Palmer-Brown
Scoring Summary
SKC – Dom Dwyer (unassisted) 33’
CHI – Mike Magee (Alex) 40’
Misconduct Summary
SKC – Dom Dwyer (caution) 34’
CHI – Chris Ritter (caution) 45’
CHI – Dilly Duka (caution) 54’
SKC – Benny Feilhaber (caution) 86’
Referee: Alan Kelly
Assistants: Corey Parker; Matthew Kreitzer
Fourth Official: Ismail Elfath
Attendance: 20,858
