CHICAGO (June 18, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC (3-7-5, 14 points) defeated D.C. United (4-8-2, 14 points) 1-0 at Soldier Field on Saturday night, as the Club celebrated Juneteenth along the lakefront. Midfielder Fabian Herbers provided the deciding goal in the 78th minute, finishing off an assist from forward Kacper Przybyłko to snap a 10-game winless streak for the Club.
With Saturday’s win, the Fire have shut out six opponents in their first 15 games and are ranked tied for the second-most shutouts in the league, behind only New York City FC (eight).
The Fire dominated the run of play throughout the match, producing more possession (53% - 47%), shots (14-11) and shots on target (7-0) throughout the 90-minute contest.
The connection between Przybyłko and Homegrown midfielder Brian Gutiérrez was put on display early and often throughout the first 45, with their first dangerous chance coming in the 21st minute. Przybyłko received a slotted ball in the box, setting Gutiérrez up for a run in the box. The 19-year-old midfielder swerved through the D.C. backline to hit a shot on frame that was denied by D.C. goalkeeper Rafael Romo.
Another combination play between the two came just 10 minutes later, with Przybyłko slotting a back heel pass onto the run of Gutiérrez, who sent another dangerous shot on frame but was again denied by Romo in net.
The breakthrough goal would eventually come in the 78th minute courtesy of midfielder Fabian Herbers, who made an immediate impact after entering the match in the 65th minute. Reacting quickly to a chipped pass from second-half Przybyłko, Herbers headed his effort off the post and into the back to help the Fire secure all three points.
The Fire also commemorated Juneteenth Saturday night, with players from both sides wearing Juneteenth-inspired numbers as part of a League-wide campaign. More details around the Club’s Juneteenth celebration can be found here.
NEXT MATCH: Chicago will next travel south to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, June 25 at PNC Stadium. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT, the match will be nationally televised on UniMás, TUDN, Twitter (English audio), and Univision Radio.
Notes:
- Tonight’s match was the second and final regular season meeting between the two teams this season. The first meeting took place on March 12 where the Fire came away with a 2-0 win, the first of the Ezra Hendrickson era.
- With the 1-0 win, the Fire improved its all-time regular season home record against D.C. United to 13-7-13 dating back to 1998.
- The Fire’s home record in 2022 now stands at 2-2-3.
- With a goal tonight, Herbers notched his first of the season and the 12th goal of his MLS career. Since joining the Fire in 2019, Herbers has scored eight goals for the Club.
- Przybyłko notched his first assist with the Club and the 15th of his MLS career.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 1:0 D.C. United
Goals:
CHI - Herbers (1) 78’
Discipline:
CHI - F. Navarro (Yellow Card) 30’
DCU - Pines (Yellow Card) 33’
DCU - Najar (Yellow Card) 72’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Slonina, D Sekulić, D Omsberg (Terán, 90+5’), D Czichos ©, D Bornstein, M F. Navarro, M Giménez (Pineda, 90+5’), M Ivanov (Herbers, 65’), M Gutiérrez (Espinoza, 75’), M Mueller, F Przybyłko
Subs not used: GK Richey, D Reynolds II, M Casas Jr., F Offor, F Durán
D.C. United: GK Romo, D B. Smith (K. Smith, 84’), D Najar (Alfaro, 73), D Birnbaum ©, D Pines, M Durkin, M Skundrich (Canouse, 73’), M Djeffal (F Estrada, 84’), M Gressel, F Kamara (Robertha, 73’), F Fountas
Subs not used: GK Kempin, M Hopkins, D Hope-Gund
Stats Summary: CHI / DCU
Shots: 14 / 11
Shots on Goal: 7 / 0
Passing Accuracy: 75.4% / 69.6%
Corners: 3 / 2
Fouls: 17 / 2
Offsides: 2 / 1
Possession: 53% / 47%
Attendance: 17,650
Referee: Nima Saghafi
Assistant Referees: Brian Poeschel, Diego Blas
Fourth Official: Calin Radosav
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic, Craig Lowry
