CHICAGO (April 1, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC (1-1-3, 6 points) earned its first shutout of the season in a scoreless draw against D.C. United (1-3-2, 5 points) on Saturday night to remain undefeated at Soldier Field in 2023.
Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady earned his first MLS shutout in his fourth career start, keeping the Fire undefeated at home. At 19 years, 29 days, Brady becomes the second youngest goalkeeper in MLS history to earn a shutout, behind only former Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina (17 years, 137 days).
Chicago started the match testing D.C. United goalkeeper Tyler Miller by sending several services into the box. The most dangerous came in the 16th minute, when defender Jonathan Dean sent a curling cross from the left side to the top of the six-yard box for an on-rushing Chris Mueller. The Schaumburg native was on pace to get the header, but Miller stepped out to snag the ball just before Mueller could connect.
Mueller had another close chance in the 28th minute when forward Kacper Przybyłko saw him streaking in on goal and sent a driven ball from the left side of the box. Mueller’s header attempt went just wide of the left post.
The second half was an even affair, with Chicago holding off the D.C. United attack while registering 33 entries into the final third. Neither team found the back of the net, but Chicago came close in the 90th minute when midfielder Brian Gutiérrez and forward Kei Kamara nearly connected for another game-winning goal. Gutiérrez’s cross found Kamara just on the edge of the six-yard box, but the striker’s header was saved by Miller, who managed to deflect the close-range chance over the goal.
NEXT MATCH: Chicago returns to Soldier Field for the second of three straight home games against Minnesota United FC at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 8. The match will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+ and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM.
Notes:
- With the 0-0 result, the Fire have notched 13 shutouts since the start of the 2022 campaign, which ranks as the third-most in the League during that stretch.
- The Fire entered the match against D.C. United with the same starting lineup as last weekend's win in Miami.
- 19-year-old Homegrown product Brian Gutiérrez made his third-straight start in central midfield.
- Forward Kacper Przybyłko led the attacking line for the fourth-straight match tonight, marking Przybyłko's 100th career start in MLS regular season play.
- In holding midfield, Gastón Giménez made his 70th Fire appearance, partnering with Fabian Herbers this evening.
- Central defender Carlos Terán and captain Rafael Czichos partnered in central defense for the fourth-straight match.
- Rounding out tonight's defensive back line are 2023 signees Jonathan Dean and Arnaud Souquet. Dean made his second career MLS start, while Soquet has started all five matches.
- Midfielder Jairo Torres (right upper leg), midfielder Federico Navarro (left upper leg), midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri (right upper leg), and forward Victor Bezerra (left upper leg) are unavailable for selection due to injury tonight.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 0:0 D.C. United
Goals:
None
Discipline:
DCU - Fountas (Yellow Card) 28’
DCU - Klich (Yellow Card) 74’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Brady, D Souquet, D Terán, D Czichos (capt.), D Dean, M Herbers, M Giménez (Pineda, 83), M Haile-Selassie, M Gutiérrez, M Mueller, F Przybyłko (Kamara, 64’)
Subs not used: GK Richey, D Aceves, D M. Navarro, D Omsberg, D Burks, M Casas Jr., F RodrÃguez
D.C. United: GK Miller, D Ruan, D Birnbaum (capt.), D Pines, D Green, M Durkin (Fletcher, 81’), M Asad (Ku-DiPietro, 66’), M Klich, M Palsson, F Fountas (Sargis, 90+6’), F Benteke
Subs not used: GK Bono, GK Zamudio, D Santos, M Canouse, M Hopkins, F Robertha
Stats Summary: CHI / DCU
Shots: 11 / 9
Shots on Goal: 2 / 3
Saves: 3 / 2
Passing Accuracy: 70.8% / 62%
Corners: 9 / 3
Fouls: 15 / 17
Offsides: 2 / 1
Possession: 57.9% / 42.1%
Attendance: 8,621
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
Assistant Referees: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho, Stefan Tanaka-Ferundt
Fourth Official: Ismir Pekmic
VAR: Carol Anne Chenard, Eric Weisbrod
