BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (Aug. 4, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC fell 1-0 to Club América on Friday night at SeatGeek Stadium in the Round of 32 of Leagues Cup 2023.
Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady was tested early on when Club América worked their way into the box in the eighth minute. The Mexican side fired a shot that Brady read through traffic, diving to his left to stop it from going into the lower left corner. Brady had more heroics just before halftime in the 43rd minute when Kevin Álvarez fired a blast from just outside the box that Brady reacted well to save with his legs.
América appeared to have scored in the 35th minute, but Kevin Álvarez’s goal was called offside. The teams went into halftime tied at zero, but not without a last-moment effort by the Fire. Xherdan Shaqiri sent a ball across the box where Brian Gutiérrez timed his run, but his headed attempt hit off the crossbar as the referee signaled the end of the first half.
It was Club América who broke through in the 64th minute when the ball was played into the near post, where midfielder Gastón Giménez attempted to redirect the ball out of bounds but instead saw it go into the Fire’s own net. Following the goal, Chicago was forced to make a goalkeeper substitution with Spencer Richey stepping into the net for Chris Brady. Club América finished the game with 10 men when Richard Sánchez was sent off with a straight red card in the 90+4th minute.
NEXT MATCH: Chicago will next host Orlando City SC on Aug. 20 at Soldier Field at 7:30 p.m. CT as the Club returns to MLS league play. Join the Fire in honoring our nation's brave military personnel with our upcoming Military Night on Aug. 20. Alongside the action on the field, we'll show our support and appreciation throughout the evening for the incredible sacrifices and dedication of our military community, plus we'll have exciting activities and giveaways for fans to enjoy. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV, streamed on wlsam.com and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM.
Social: Twitter - @chicagofire, @vamosfire (Hashtags: #CF97 #VamosFire) | Instagram - @chicagofire | Facebook
Notes:
- Ivorian midfielder Ousmane Doumbia started his second match in a Fire shirt. The skillful midfielder played 90 minutes for the Chicago Fire against Puebla in the previous match.
- Xherdan Shaqiri donned the captain’s armband against América, doing so for the second-consecutive game.
- Midfielder Brian Gutiérrez made his 24th start of 2023 across all competitions.
- Midfielders Javier Casas Jr. (right upper arm) and Chris Mueller (right upper leg) were not available for tonight’s match.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 0:1 Club América
Goals:
CFA - Gastón Giménez (Own Goal) (WATCH) 64’
Discipline:
CHI - M. Navarro (Yellow Card) 23’
CFA - Álvarez (Yellow Card) 23’
CHI - Souquet (Yellow Card) 87’
CFA - Sánchez (Red Card - Ejection) 90+4’
CHI - Shaqiri (Yellow Card) 90+6’
CHI - Pineda (Yellow Card) 90+9’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Brady (Richey, 70’), D Dean (Souquet, 74’), D Terán, D Pineda, D M. Navarro, M Doumbia, M Giménez (F. Navarro, 75’), M Torres (M Haile-Selassie, 61’), M Shaqiri (capt.), M Gutiérrez, F Koutsias (F Przybyłko, 61’)
Subs not used: GK Gal, D Aceves, D Czichos, D Burks, M Herbers, M Monis, F M. Rodríguez
Club América: GK Malagón, D I. Reyes, D Cáceres, D Álvarez, M Dos Santos (capt.), M Fidalgo, M Sánchez, M Zendejas (Fuentes, 88’), M S. Reyes (Araújo, 90+8’), M Suárez (Rodríguez, 78’), F Quiñones
Subs not used: GK Jiménez, GK Palestina, D Araujo, M Naveda, D Layún, D Lara, D Juárez, F Martínez, M Ramírez, F Salas
Stats Summary: CHI / CFA
Shots: 0 / 5
Shots on Goal: 0 / 3
Saves: 3 / 0
Passing Accuracy: 79.5% / 80.0%
Corners: 0 / 2
Fouls: 2 / 2
Offsides: 0 / 1
Possession: 27.2% / 72.8%
Attendance: 18,417 (sellout)
Referee: Walter López Castellanos
Assistant Referees: Keytzel Corrales, Helpys Feliz
Fourth Official: Steffon Dewar
VAR: Daneion Parchment
Assistant VAR: Ricardo Montero
