Harrison, N.J._ (Aug. 28, 2021)_ - Playing a third straight game on the road, Chicago Fire FC (6-11-5, 23 points) picked up a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls (6-10-4, 22 points) at Red Bull Arena on Saturday night. Chicago is just the third team to win at Red Bull Arena this season (Supporters’ Shield leaders New England Revolution and Western Conference side Sporting Kansas City being the other two teams).
The Fire broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when forward Robert Berić bagged his third goal of the season. Defender Carlos Terán’s long throw-in created a difficult moment for the home side, deflecting off several Red Bulls players, before falling for Beric who blasted his shot into the top corner.
The Designated Player was initially forced to delay his goal celebration as he was ruled offside on the play. However, after going to Video Review, referee Victor Rivas overturned the call due to the deflection prior to Berić’s shot.
Maintaining the 1-0 lead going into the halftime break, the Fire continued its resolute defensive performance as a unit in the second half to hold off a strong push from the Red Bulls. Of the Red Bulls’ 20 shots, only two landed on target and both were comfortably saved by goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth.
After weathering the storm in the second half, Chicago nearly doubled its lead in the 83rd minute when midfielder Álvaro Medrán came within inches of scoring with his first touch of the game. Forward Chinonso Offor created the opportunity with a clever nutmeg on his defender, before laying the ball off for Medrán, who fired a first-time effort off the post. Medrán’s effort would serve as the final clear-cut chance of the night as the Fire picked up their second straight win over the Red Bulls.
NEXT GAME: The Fire will have a break in its regular season schedule next weekend due to the FIFA international window. Following the bye weekend, Chicago will resume league play against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Children’s Mercy Park, continuing its stretch of six straight games on the road. The match against Sporting KC will begin at 7:30 p.m. CT on WGN-TV, CFFC Live and Latino Mix 93.5 FM.
NOTES:
- The result was the Red Bulls’ first home loss since July 31 and their third of the season (5-3-2).
- Tonight’s match was the third and final meeting between the Fire and NYRB this season, with the Fire winning two of the three matches (2-1-0).
- The Fire have won more regular season games against the Red Bulls than any other opponent in the league. Chicago leads the head-to-head regular season series against NYRB with a 30-20-13 all-time record.
- The 1-0 win marked the first time either the Fire or the Red Bulls have won consecutive games over the other in the same season since the Fire did it in the 2014 campaign. Prior to tonight’s match, Chicago recently defeated the Red Bulls 2-1 at Soldier Field on Aug. 8.
- The Fire notched their fifth shutout of the season.
- Chicago is four points below the playoff line with several matches still to be played during Week 22.
- Midfielder Brian Gutiérrez earned his fifth professional start tonight and his first since June 19. Earlier this season, the Chicago native became the youngest Homegrown Player to start a match in Club history in the team’s away fixture against D.C. United on May 13.
Box Score:
New York Red Bulls 0:1 Chicago Fire FC
Goals:
CHI - Berić (3) 32’
Discipline:
NY - Reyes (Yellow Card) 73’
NY - Duncan (Yellow Card) 78’
CHI - Terán (Yellow Card) 81’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Terán, D Pineda, D Bornstein ©, M Sekulić, M Herbers, M Giménez, M Stojanović (M Medrán, 83’), M Navarro, M Gutiérrez (Offor 59’), F Berić (F Collier 83’)
Subs not used: GK G. Slonina, D Kappelhof, D Omsberg, D Espinoza, D Calvo, F Ivanov
New York Red Bulls: GK Coronel, D Gutman, D Nealis, D Reyes (D Tarek 77’), D Edwards (D Duncan 64’), M Tolkin, M Davis ©, M Clark (M Amaya 72’), M Klimala (M Royer 64’), M Carmona, F Fábio
Subs not used: GK Meara, D Egbo, M Fernandez, F Barlow, F Harper
Stats Summary: NY / CHI
Shots: 20 / 9
Shots on Goal: 2 / 4
Passing Accuracy: 73.5% / 65.1%
Saves: 1 / 1
Corners: 2 / 3
Fouls: 13 / 11
Offsides: 1 / 1
Possession: 58.4% / 41.6%
Referee: Victor Rivas
Assistant Referees: Adam Garner, Brian Dunn
Fourth Official: Guido Gonzales Jr.
VAR and AVAR: Carol Anne Chenard, Gjovalin Bori
