Chicago Fire FC Defeats Defending MLS Cup Champions Columbus Crew 1-0 at Soldier Field

CHICAGO_ (Aug. 15, 2021)_ - Chicago Fire FC (5-9-5, 20 points) won its second straight game with a 1-0 win over defending MLS Cup Champions Columbus Crew (6-7-6, 24 points) at Soldier Field on Sunday night.

With the win, the Fire are unbeaten in its last four matches (2-0-2) since Aug. 1. Additionally, Chicago has picked up the third-most points (15) in the league since July 3, and is now just six points below the playoff line with 15 regular season games remaining.

After knocking on the door with a few close chances in the second half, the Fire eventually found the breakthrough goal in the 77th minute. Midfielder Luka Stojanović finished a deflected shot from Homegrown midfielder Brian Gutiérrez to score the game-winner and notch his team-high sixth goal of the season.

Despite several close calls by the Crew in stoppage time — including a great save by Bobby Shuttleworth and a shot off the woodwork — the Fire held on for back-to-back wins for the first time this year.

NEXT GAME: Chicago Fire FC will begin a six-game road trip on Wednesday, Aug. 18 when the team faces Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium. The match will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT on WGN-TV, CFFC Live and Latino Mix 93.5 FM.

NOTES:

• The Fire extended its all-time home record to 17-6-13 against the Crew since 1998.
• Chicago is unbeaten in its last eight home games against Columbus (3-0-5) since March 19, 2016.
• The Fire completed its three-game homestand with two wins and a draw, picking up seven points.
• With 15 points gained since July 3, only the New England Revolution (20) and Nashville SC (16) have accumulated more points than the Fire during that stretch.
• The 1-0 win marked the Club’s fourth shutout of the season and goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth’s 48th career shutout.
• Stojanović tallied his team-leading sixth goal of the season. The Serbian midfielder has scored three goals in the team’s last two games.
• Midfielder Fabian Herbers was named Heineken Man of the Match for his performance.
• Defender Boris Sekulić made his 40th straight start dating back to the 2020 campaign.

Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 1:0 Columbus Crew

Goals:
CHI - Stojanović (6) 77’

Discipline:
CLB - Etienne (Yellow Card) 27’

Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Terán (Omsberg 79’), D Pineda, D Calvo ©, M Sekulić, M Herbers, M Giménez, M Stojanović (Ivanov 84’), M Bornstein (Espinoza 79’), F Collier (Gutiérrez 58’), F Offor (Berić 58’)

Subs not used: GK G. Slonina, GK Brady, D Kappelhof, M Monis

Columbus Crew: GK Room, D Abdul-Salaam, D Mensah ©, D Francis (Matan 84’), M Fraser (Wright-Phillips 88’), M Nagbe, M Etienne Jr. (Molino 69’), M Zelarayán, M Santos, F Zardes

Subs not used: GK Bush, F Hurtado, D Wormgoor, M Parente, D Afful, F Berry

Stats Summary: CHI / CLB
Shots: 17 / 12  
Shots on Goal: 6 / 1
Passing Accuracy: 81.3% / 82.2%
Saves: 1 / 5
Corners: 2 / 3 
Fouls: 15 / 4
Offsides: 2 / 3
Possession: 46.2% / 53.8%

Attendance: 13,005

Referee: Nima Saghafi
Assistant Referees: Ian McKay, Eric Boria
Fourth Official: Natalie Simon
VAR: Hilario Grajeda, Peter Balciunas