KANSAS CITY, Kan. (May 3, 2015) – The Chicago Fire (3-4-0, nine points) saw their three-match winning streak come to a close in a 1-0 road loss to Sporting Kansas City (3-2-4, 13 points) on Sunday afternoon. The two sides, playing in the series' 50th all-time meeting, traded a combined 25 attempts on goal, but the home side emerged victorious courtesy of a 75th minute Paulo Nagamura header.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bFEumKNECpQ"></a> |
<b>Frank Yallop Postmatch Reaction</b> |
The Fire saw their first chance of the match in just the 8th minute when Trinidad and Tobago international Joevin Jones picked off a Sporting KC pass and played it forward to David Accam. The Ghanaian Designated Player turned and raced towards goal, took on two defenders and sent a high, looping shot towards the upper 90 forcing Sporting KC ‘keeper Tim Melia into a diving save to tip it out.
WATCH: Match Highlights
Just minutes later the Men in Red would threaten again in the 13th minute when Harry Shipp received the ball on the touch line, played a nifty chip over the defense to Guly do Prado, who won the ball off a slipping defender and found Accam on the left flank. Accam took a few touches forward and played it back to do Prado outside the 18-yard box, who sent a low, driven shot on frame forcing another diving save from Melia.
The hosts nearly capitalized in the 32nd minute when Adailton picked up a yellow card for a foul just outside the penalty area. Benny Feilhaber took the ensuing free kick and found Kevin Ellis in front of goal but the Sporting KC defender banged his header off the crossbar.
MLS Matchcenter and Opta Chalkboard | Postmatch Quotes | Photo Gallery
Sporting KC would have another good look on goal in the 50th minute when Graham Zusi slipped the ball through to Seth Sinovic, who took a couple touches to settle and blasted his shot on goal. Johnson reached up and was able to get his right hand up to push it out to safety.
Sporting KC broke the deadlock in the 75th minute when former Fire man Jalil Anibaba whipped in a cross from the right flank to Paulo Nagamura on the far post, who snapped his header to the far corner for the opening goal.
The Fire were reduced to 10 men in the 89th minute when Accam was shown a straight red card.
The Men in Red return home to host a Chicago-style doubleheader at Toyota Park on Saturday, May 9. The Fire will kick off against Real Salt Lake at 2 p.m. CT presented by Giordano’s (Comcast SportsNet Chicago/ESPN Deportes 97.5 FM), followed by the Red Stars vs. Boston Breakers match at 4 p.m. CT.
All tickets purchased for the Fire vs. Real Salt Lake match will also include a complimentary, General Admission ticket for the Red Stars game. Single game tickets for Fire matches are available via Ticketmasterandwww.Chicago-Fire.com.Fans at the Fire game can enjoy $2 hot dogs presented by Red Hot Chicago.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (3-4-0, 9 pts.) 0:1 Sporting Kansas City (3-2-4, 13 pts.)
May 3, 2015 – Sporting Park
Attendance: 19,581
Scoring Summary:
SKC – Paulo Nagamura (Jalil Anibaba) 75’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Adailton (caution) 32’
SKC – Seth Sinovic (caution) 38’
CHI – Chris Ritter (caution) 58’
CHI – David Accam (ejection) 89’
SKC – Paulo Nagamura (caution) 92’
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson; Eric Gehrig (Lovel Palmer 85’), Jeff Larentowicz ©, Adailton, Joevin Jones; Harry Shipp, Matt Polster, Chris Ritter (Kennedy Igboananike 77’), David Accam; Shaun Maloney; Guly do Prado (Quincy Amarikwa 72’)
Subs not used: Jon Busch, Razvan Cocis, Victor Perez, Greg Cochrane
Shots: 11; Shots On Goal: 3; Saves: 2; Fouls: 12; Corner Kicks: 4; Offsides: 8.
Sporting Kansas City: Tim Melia; Jalil Anibaba, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic (Amadou Dia 77’), Kevin Ellis; Soni Mustivar (Jacob Peterson 85’), Benny Feilhaber, Roger Espinoza (Paulo Nagamura 65’); Graham Zusi, Dominic Dwyer, Krisztian NemethSubs not used: Connor Hallisey, Bernardo Anor, Erik Palmer-Brown, Luis Marin
Shots: 14; Shots On Goal: 3; Saves: 3; Fouls: 14; Corner Kicks: 9; Offsides: 2.
