CHICAGO (Aug. 8, 2021) - Chicago Fire FC (4-9-5, 17 points) defeated the New York Red Bulls (5-8-4, 19 points) 2-1 at Soldier Field on Sunday night, extending its unbeaten streak to three games.
The Fire got off to a racing start in its third match in seven days, scoring twice in the opening eight minutes courtesy of midfielder Luka Stojanović. Making his first start since June 26, Stojanović provided an immediate impact, blasting forward Chinonso Offor’s pass into the far corner in the second minute, before finishing off a misplaced Red Bulls header at the back post in the eighth minute.
The Serbian midfielder’s two-goal performance marks the Fire’s fastest brace this season, while his second minute finish is tied for the team’s fastest goal in 2021. Later in the second half, Chicago had another golden opportunity to add a third when midfielder Fabian Herbers broke free in behind and chipped goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, hitting the crossbar with his attempt.
Chicago held onto the two-goal lead until the Red Bulls managed to pull one back on the final play of the game. Forward Tom Barlow scored in the seventh minute of second half stoppage time.
NEXT GAME: Chicago Fire FC will conclude the Club’s three-game homestand at Soldier Field on Sunday, Aug. 15 against the Columbus Crew. The match will begin at 5:00 p.m. CT on WGN-TV, CFFC Live and Latino Mix 93.5 FM.
NOTES:
- Stojanović earned his first brace for the Fire, scoring twice in the first eight minutes. He leads the team with five goals this season.
- Stojanović had two shots in the first half, both of which were goals. He was named Heineken Man of the Match for his performance.
- Offor tallied his first career assist for the Fire, setting up Stojanović’s opening goal.
- The Fire have conceded just two goals in its last three games.
- Goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth returned to the starting lineup after missing Wednesday’s match due to a knee injury. He made three saves in tonight’s match.
- Defender Carlos Terán made his first start since June 19, notching his second career start for the Fire.
- Forward Elliot Collier made his first start since May 8, and his first appearance since July 7, having recently returned from a foot injury.
- Tonight’s match was the 62nd all-time regular season meeting between the Fire, with Chicago leading the series 29-13-20.
- The Fire were without midfielder Álvaro Medrán who missed tonight’s match due to health and safety protocols.
- Forward Ignacio Aliseda also missed tonight’s match due to a calf injury.
- Tonight’s match was the Club’s annual Kids Day celebration. The match was highlighted by 7-year-old Kids Club member and Fire Juniors player Elena, who served as the guest public address announcer in English and Spanish prior to the start of the game.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 2:1 New York Red Bulls
Goals:
CHI - Stojanović (4) (Offor 1) 2’
CHI - Stojanović (5) 8’
NY - Barlow (1) 90+7’
Discipline:
NY - Edwards (Yellow Card) 21’
NY - Davis (Yellow Card) 39’
NY - Tarek (Yellow Card) 69’
NY - Gutman (Yellow Card) 77’
CHI - Offor (Yellow Card) 90+5’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Terán (Omsberg 67’), D Pineda, D Calvo ©, M Sekulić, M Herbers, M Giménez, M Stojanović, M Bornstein, F Collier (Berić 57’), F Offor
Subs not used: GK G. Slonina, GK Brady, D Espinoza, D Kappelhof, M Monis, M Gutiérrez, F Ivanov
New York Red Bulls: GK Coronel, D Duncan, D Edwards, D Tarek, D Tolkin, M Cásseres (Gutman 19’), M Davis, M Carmona (Fernandez 55’), M Clark (Barlow 74’), F Fábio, F Klimala
Subs not used: GK Meara, D Egbo, D Nealis, M Royer, M Amaya
Stats Summary: CHI / NY
Shots: 9 / 12
Shots on Goal: 3 / 4
Passing Accuracy: 67.2% / 81.2%
Saves: 3 / 1
Corners: 3 / 6
Fouls: 14 / 14
Offsides: 0 / 2
Possession: 37.7% / 62.3%
Attendance: 11,894
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
Assistant Referees: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho, Claudiu Badea
Fourth Official: Ismir Pekmic
VAR: Alex Chilowicz, Joshua Patlak
