HARRISON, NJ.(Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013) – The Chicago Fire (14-13-7, 49 points) fell 5-2 to 2013 MLS Supporter’s Shield winners New York Red Bulls (17-9-8, 59 points) Sunday evening at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. Mike Magee opened scoring early in the sixth minute but the Red Bulls found goals from five different goal scorers as the Men in Red concluded their 2013 campaign.
MATCH REPORT: http://bit.ly/HkYWBS
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: http://bit.ly/HblqVs
QUOTES:
http://bit.ly/1cmua9I
Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire Head Coach
On the match:
“Yeah I mean I just think that we had some chances in the first half and I think if we could have got the second goal I think that could have changed things a little bit and then I think when we started the second half we had some bad turnovers in bad spots. I feel we had the ball and we turned it over and when they get the ball in good spots they have quality players that are going to hurt you. In the first half we had our chances to score another goal and the second half was just the key I think, in possession when we had it I think we just turned it over in bad spots and then once they went two, three up, we knew the score, we knew the results of the other game and we had to push the game. From then on, for me, it really didn’t matter; we just kept on pushing to try to come back [and at least tie the match to get into the playoffs].”
On the season:
“Right now it’s a lot of emotions. I’m proud of the guys just the way the second half of the season [went] and we were probably the best team in the league in the second half of the season. Through adversity you learn and you become better but I think the group fought all the way to the end, it’s just unfortunate that early on [in the season] if you get one more win it’s a different thing. I take my hat off to the guys because they competed. I know it’s disappointing right now for sure, but you have to learn from every situation and move on.”
On Mike Magee:
“For me he’s the MVP. Another very good performance, scored another very good goal tonight and look at the impact he’s had on our team. He’s a fantastic player and we’re happy to have him starting next year from the beginning [of the season].”
Mike Magee, Chicago Fire Forward
On the match:
“I wish I knew [what went wrong in the match]. First and foremost I think New York was great. I think anytime you got Tim Cahill and [Thierry] Henry on your team and those guys are in the form that they were in tonight they’re going to be hard to beat. I definitely think we might have lain down a little bit.”
On reflecting on his season:
“This is going to hurt for a while. It’s cool to score goals and all but you play the game to lift the trophy and to kind of come that close after so much work just to get ourselves back in a spot to have a chance at making the playoffs – to be honest, it’s heartbreaking.”
On Thierry Henry:
“He’s the best. He’s probably the best player in the league and one of the classiest guys I’ve met. I got a chance to hang with him a little bit in Kansas City this year and I have nothing but respect for him. I just told him I wish him luck and that’s all.”
Notes:
-With the result, the Fire move to 23-13-9 all-time in regular season matches against the Red Bulls, including a 10-10-3 record in matches played on the road.
-Mike Magee finishes the 2013 season with a total of 21 goals to his name, just one behind 2013 MLS Golden Boot winner Camilo Sanvezzo of Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
-The Fire were without the services of vice captain Jeff Larentowicz, who was serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
-Sunday’s match marked the 100th MLS appearance for Fire ‘keeper Sean Johnson.
-Fire forward Quincy Amarikwa 90th minute strike was his third goal of the season. All three of Amarikwa’s goals have come in the last ten minutes of the match.
Chicago Fire 2 – 5 New York Red Bulls
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson; Jalil Anibaba, Austin Berry, Bakary Soumare, Gonzalo Segares (Gonzalo Segares 76’); Patrick Nyarko (Quincy Amarikwa 61’), Alex, Egidio Arevalo Rios, Dilly Duka (Chris Rolfe 68’); Mike Magee ©, Juan Luis Anangono
Substitutes not used: Paolo Tornaghi, Hunter Jumper, Daniel Paladini, Logan Pause
New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles; Ibrahim Sekagya, Markus Holgersson, David Carney, Jamison Olave; Jonathan Steele, Lloyd Sam (Eric Alexander 74’), Peguy Luyindula, Dax McCarty; Tim Cahill (Brandon Barklage 88’), Thierry Henry © (Bradley Wright-Phillips 89’)
Substitutes not used: Matt Miazga, Ryan Meara, Fabian Espindola, Kosuke Kimura
Scoring Summary
CHI – Mike Magee (unassisted) 6’
NY – Thierry Henry (Peguy Luyindula) 24’
NY – Ibrahim Sekagya (Tim Cahill) 49’
NY – Lloyd Sam (Peguy Luyindula) 56’
NY – Eric Alexander (Peguy Luyindula) 77’
NY – Jonathan Steele (Thierry Henry) 84’
CHI – Quincy Amarikwa (Joel Lindpere) 90’
Misconduct Summary
NY – David Carney (caution) 37’
CHI – Juan Luis Anangono (caution) 52’
CHI – Bakary Soumare (caution) 77’
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Assistants: George Ganser, Corey Rockwell
Fourth Official: Carlos Rivera
Attendance: 25,219
