CHICAGO(Oct. 7, 2020) - Chicago Fire FC (4-8-4, 16 points) fell 1-0 to Sporting Kansas City (8-5-2, 26 points) on the road at Children’s Mercy Park on Wednesday evening.
Chicago was awarded a penalty kick in the first minute of play when midfielder Fabian Herbers was taken down in the box by Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia. Forward Robert Berić would step up to the spot, but the penalty was stopped by Melia to keep the game level.
The Fire continued to apply pressure throughout the first half. Chicago came close to heading into the halftime break up a goal. In the 44th minute, after Herbers caused a turnover in the middle of the park, Djordje Mihailović would run onto goal and attempt to chip Melia. However, his deft touch hit the post and the game remained tied as the first half came to a close.
Kansas City took advantage of one of their few scoring chances when New Zealand defender Winston Reid, on loan from Premier League side West Ham United, finished in the 67th minute. Off a corner kick from Johnny Russell, Reid would make a run to the back post and rise above the crowd, giving Sporting KC the eventual game-winner.
Despite Chicago dominating in possession (57%-43%), the Fire were unable to find an equalizer.
Next on the schedule: Chicago Fire FC will return to Soldier Field for a match on Sunday, Oct. 11 against D.C. United. The match will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT and 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 6:15 p.m. CT.
Notes:
- Chicago controlled 57.2% of the possession in the match. The Fire dominated possession in the second half (63.2%-36.8%).
- Midfielder Brandt Bronico earned his third start (10th appearance) of the season. Bronico last started for Chicago on the road against New England Revolution on March 7 in a 1-1 draw.
- Midfielder Przemysław Frankowski returned from injury tonight, playing in his first game since a 2-2 tie against Columbus Crew SC on Sept. 12. He subbed on in the 58th minute earning his 12th appearance (10 starts) of 2020.
- Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia has now saved four of his last five regular season penalty attempts and 11 of 25 for his career.
- Fire captain Francisco Calvo will miss the team’s next match due to yellow card accumulation.
- Gastón Giménez (Paraguay) and Miguel Navarro (Venezuela) were unavailable for selection as the pair have been called up to national team duty for a pair of CONMEBOL 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. The Fire teammates will face each other on Tuesday, Oct. 13, when Paraguay travels to face Venezuela at 5:00 p.m. CT at Metropolitano de Merida Stadium in Merida, Venezuela.
- Game highlights can be viewed here.
- Every Fire broadcast starts with an original feature, The Open. Tonight’s version, “It Started with a Spark,” was voiced by Chicago Fire FC assistant coach Frank Klopas. You can watch it here.
Goals:
- SKC - Winston Reid 67th minute
Box Score:
Sporting Kansas City 1:0 Chicago Fire FC
Scoring Summary:
- SKC - Reid (1) (Russell 2) 67’
Misconduct Summary:
- SKC - Melia (Caution) 1’
- CHI - Calvo (Caution) 19’
- CHI - Herbers (Caution) 19’
- SKC - Espinoza (Caution) 24’
- CHI - Sekulić (Caution) 58’
- SKC - Reid (Caution) 62’
- SKC - Russell (Caution) 77’
- SKC - Shelton (Caution) 80’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Sekulić (F Sapong 73’), D Pineda, D Calvo ©, D Bornstein, M Mihailović (M Azira 79’), M Bronico (D Kappelhof 73’), M Medrán, M Aliseda (F Collier 79’), F Herbers (M Frankowski 58’), F Berić
Subs not used: D Omsberg, D Reynolds II, M Gutiérrez, GK Sparrow
Sporting Kansas City: GK Melia, D Zusi (D Lindsey 21’), D Puncec, D Reid, D Dia, M Espinoza (F Salloi HT), M Sánchez, M Busio (M Hernandez 69’), F Russell (F Hurtado 87’), F Kinda, F Shelton
Subs not used: GK Pulskamp, D Fontas, D Smith, M Duke, F G. Fernandes
Stats Summary: SKC / CHI
Shots: 13 / 10
Shots on Target: 3 / 3
Saves: 2 / 2
Corners: 7 / 4
Fouls: 16 / 14
Offsides: 2 / 5
Possession: 42.8% / 57.2%
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
Assistant Referees: Cory Richardson, Brian Poeschel
Fourth Official: Ismir Pekmic
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez
