Chicago Fire FC Defeats Indy Eleven 3-0 in Final Exhibition Match Ahead of the 2023 MLS Season

Bridgeview, Illinois (Feb. 25, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC earned a 3-0 victory against USL Championship side Indy Eleven in a friendly match on Saturday afternoon at SeatGeek Stadium. With the Fire having a bye during MLS is Back opening weekend, the Club hosted Indy Eleven in a closed-door exhibition match as part of its final preparation for the beginning of the 2023 MLS campaign.

The match featured the first appearances for Fire defender Arnaud Soquet, who started at right back and logged 62 total minutes, as well as winger Maren Haile-Selassie, who entered in the 74th minute and scored the team’s second goal of the match. 

The Fire found the lead early with a goal in the 13th minute, courtesy of homegrown forward Missael Rodríguez. Rodríguez capitalized on a misclearance by the Indy Eleven backline, winning possession outside the 18-yard box and chipping a shot over the Indy Eleven goalkeeper to give the Fire the 1-0 lead. 

Rodríguez had a nearly-identical play with an opportunity to double the lead early in the second half. Continuing to press high on Indy’s back line, Rodríguez intercepted a pass off their backline, winning an opportunity to go 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper, sending a shot over the crossbar. 

Haile-Selassie started finding his way close to the goal, connecting with forward Victor Bezerra in the 83rd minute on the right side of the box. The Swiss winger’s shot was sent just wide of the post. The duo connected again two minutes later, this time with defender Carlos Terán sending a ball up the right side of the field to Bezerra, who slipped it wide right to Haile-Selassie. This time, Haile-Selassie found the back of the net, doubling the Fire’s lead.

Bezerra sealed the 3-0 scoreline in the 88th minute, receiving a pass from midfielder Brian Gutiérrez on the right side of the box and firing a laser into the roof of the goal. Fire goalkeeper Spencer Richey earned the shutout, manning the goal for the full 90 minutes.

Chicago Fire FC kick off the 2023 MLS season at home this Saturday, March 4 against New York City FC at 7:30 p.m. CT at Soldier Field. Tickets to the home opener can be purchased here and the contest will also be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.