NASHVILLE (Oct. 31, 2020) - Chicago Fire FC (5-9-7, 22 points) and Nashville SC (7-6-8, 29 points) each scored a goal in the first half to earn a 1-1 draw on Saturday night at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Chicago remains above the playoff line with two matches to go (at Minnesota and vs. NYCFC).
Nashville’s Daniel Rios opened the scoring in the 28th minute, heading home his fourth goal of the season off a pass from Costa Rican Randall Leal.
Chicago answered in the 42nd minute when Homegrown defender Mauricio Pineda delivered a perfect through ball to Boris Sekulić. Pineda, who on the play initially thought he’d take a shot from distance, threaded his pass between Nashville defenders to find Sekulić. The defender calmly slotted home a right-footed shot to the near post to equalize. It was Sekulić’s second goal of the season.
In a game in which the Fire dominated possession (63-37), the best opportunity to secure all three points on the road came from substitute Elliot Collier in the 88th minute. Sekulić crossed the ball to the far post for an onlooking Collier. The New Zealander’s header rang off the post and the home side was able to secure a point.
Next on the schedule: Chicago Fire FC remains on the road on Wednesday, Nov. 4 versus Minnesota United. The match will take place at Allianz Field and is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. CT. It will be broadcast live on WGN-TV and ESPN+ and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200AM. The pregame show, presented by CIBC, will begin at 6:45 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
Notes:
- The Fire remain in a playoff position in the Eastern Conference (10th place, 22 points).
- Fire dominated possession 63-37 and completed 86% of their passes. Chicago outshot Nashville 12-10.
- Fire goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth made his 200th MLS regular season appearance (196 starts).
- Sekulić netted his second goal of the season and earned Heineken Man of the Match honors.
- Captain Francisco Calvo was in the starting lineup after his red card versus Philadelphia was rescinded. The Fire successfully appealed Calvo’s one-game suspension on Friday.
- Nashville SC captain Dax McCarty was the former captain of the Chicago Fire the previous three seasons. The 15-year MLS veteran appeared in 86 games (86 starts) for the Fire from 2017-19.
- With a draw tonight, Nashville have only lost once in their last 10 games. The Tennessee side have already clinched a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
- Every Fire broadcast starts with an original feature, The Open. Tonight’s version, “I Dream of Sparky,” featured Fire fan Gabriel Sánchez. You can watch it here.
- Game highlights can be viewed here.
Goals:
- NSH - Daniel Rios (4) (Leal 4, Zimmerman 1) 28’
- CHI - Boris Sekulić (2) (Pineda 2) 42’
Box Score:
Nashville SC 1:1 Chicago Fire FC
Misconduct Summary:
- NSH - McCarty (Caution) 90’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Sekulić, D Navarro (D Bornstein 76’), D Calvo ©, D Pineda, M Medrán, M Mihailović (F Herbers 70’), M Aliseda, M Frankowski (F Collier 83’), M Giménez, F Berić
Subs not used: GK Sparrow, M Azira, M Casas Jr., D Reynolds II, D Terán, M Gutiérrez, D Omsberg
Nashville SC: GK Willis, D Johnston, D Zimmerman, D Romney, D Lovitz, M Leal (D Anibaba 89’), M Godoy, M McCarty, M Muyl (M Anunga 70’), F Jones (F Danladi 59’), F Rios (F Cadiz 59’)
Subs not used: GK Panicco, D Miller, D Washington, D Maher, M LaGrassa
Stats Summary: NSH / CHI
Shots: 10 / 12
Shots on Target: 1 / 5
Saves: 4 / 0
Corners: 3 / 4
Fouls: 14 / 14
Offsides: 3 / 1
Possession: 36.9% / 63.1%
Referee: Malik Badawi
Assistant Referees: Corey Parker, Brooke Mayo
Fourth Official: Marcos de Oliveira
VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero
