HARRISON, N.J. (April 21, 2018) – The Chicago Fire (2-3-1, 7 points) earned their first road points of the season with a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls (3-3-0, 9 points) at Red Bull Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Fire opened scoring in the 30th minute when defender Brandon Vincent sent in a corner kick that was headed out by the Red Bulls defense. The ball fell to Aleksandar Katai just outside the penalty area and the Serbian unleashed a left-footed volley past Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles for his second goal of the season.
Katai would factor in to the Fire’s eventual game winner, earning a penalty kick in the 68th minute after he was dragged down in the box by Robles. Reigning MLS Golden Boot winner Nemanja Nikolić stepped up and buried the ensuing penalty for his fifth goal of the season.
The hosts pulled one back in the 81st minute after Bradley Wright-Phillips pounced on a loose ball in the box but the Fire held on for the full three points.
Rookie midfielder Mo Adams made his professional debut on Saturday, featuring for the full 90 minutes. Adams is the fifth Fire rookie to play in a league match this season.
Next up the Men in Red face defending MLS Cup champions Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday, April 28 at 2 p.m. CT (ESPN+/Univision Deportes Chicago 1200AM).
Chicago Fire 2:1 New York Red Bulls
April 21, 2018 – Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 18,784
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Aleksandar Katai (unassisted) 30’
CHI – Nemanja Nikolić (penalty kick) 69’
NYRB – Bradley Wright-Phillips (unassisted) 81’
Misconduct Summary:
NYRB – Louis Robles (caution) 68’
CHI – Mo Adams (caution) 90+2’
Chicago Fire: Richard Sánchez; Kevin Ellis, Johan Kappelhof, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Grant Lillard, Brandon Vincent; Mo Adams, Dax McCarty ©; Elliot Collier (Alan Gordon 75’), Nemanja Nikolić (Jonathan Campbell 89’), Aleksandar Katai (Diego Campos 83’)
Subs not used: Patrick McLain, Drew Conner, Tony Tchani, Jon Bakero
Shots: 4; Shots On-Goal: 3; Fouls: 11; Saves: 9; Offsides: 5; Corners: 4.
New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles ©, Tim Parker, Kemar Lawrence, Aaron Long, Michael Murillo, Daniel Royer, Marc Rzatkowski (Sean Davis 57’), Alejandro Romero Gamarra (Vincent Bezecourt 77’), Florian Valot (Derrick Etienne 69’), Tyler Adams, Bradley Wright-Phillips
Subs not used: Benjamin Mines, Alex Muyl, Aurelien Collin, Ryan Meara
Shots: 22; Shots On-Goal: 11; Fouls: 5; Saves: 1; Offsides: 2; Corners: 7.
