KANSAS CITY, Kan._ (Sept. 11, 2021)_ - Chicago Fire FC (6-12-5, 23 points) fell 2-0 to Sporting Kansas City (12-5-7, 43 points) at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday night.
Two early first-half goals were the difference tonight. A shot from outside the box by Sporting KC midfielder José Mauri put Chicago behind four minutes into the game. Two minutes later, SKC extended its lead when forward Dániel Sallói hit a left-footed shot that forced Bobby Shuttleworth to make the save, however the rebound fell to forward Johnny Russell who tapped the ball into the back of the net.
In the second half, after making three substitutions at halftime, Chicago applied pressure, including two shots off the woodwork. In the 58th minute, midfielder Luka Stojanovic found space inside the 18-yard box and hit a blistering half volley off the crossbar. In the 64th minute, Fire midfielder Fabian Herbers hit a long range shot that also rattled the crossbar behind SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia. Stojanovic also had a header go just wide of the post in the 82nd minute. Despite recording 10 shots in the second half alone, Chicago was unable to get on the board.
NEXT GAME: The Fire will play its fifth of six straight games on the road against D.C. United on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at Audi Field. The match against D.C. United will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT on WGN-TV, CFFC Live and WOJO 105.1 FM.
NOTES:
- Federico Navarro made his Fire and MLS debut after coming in as a substitute to begin the second half. The 21-year-old Argentine defensive midfielder signed for the Club on Aug. 6, 2021.
- In observance of the 20-year mark since the 9/11 tragedy in the United States on September 11, 2001, MLS and its clubs came together to conduct acts of service to positively impact our communities and remember those lost in the attacks. Three special elements were featured in the pre-match presentation at all MLS games played in the U.S. this weekend: All team jerseys featured a 20th remembrance patch, modeled on the one worn by clubs when MLS returned to action after the terrorist attacks in 2001. There was also a moment of silence before each game, and the American flag was displayed on the field ahead of the player procession and remained on the field until the end of the National Anthem.
Box Score:
Sporting Kansas City 2:0 Chicago Fire FC
Goals:
KC - Mauri (1) (Walter 1) 4’
KC - Russell (5) 6’
Discipline:
CHI - Stojanović (Yellow Card) 32’
*CHI - F. Navarro (Yellow Card) 53’
CHI - *Navarro (Yellow Card) 68’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Terán, D Pineda (F. Navarro 45’), D Bornstein ©, D Sekulić (Espinoza 45’), M Medrán, M Stojanović, M M. Navarro, M Ivanov (Aliseda 70’), F Berić (Offor 45’), F Herbers
Subs not used: GK G. Slonina, D Omsberg, D Kappelhof, M Casas Jr., F Collier
Sporting Kansas City: GK Melia, D Fontas, D Zusi, D Martins, M Sanchez, M Kinda, M Mauri (Shelton 78’), M Walter, F Russell ©, F Pulido (Duke 85’), F Salloi
Subs not used: GK Pulskamp, D Puncec, D Rad, D Dia, F Barber, F Harris
Stats Summary: SKC / CHI
Shots: 16 / 13
Shots on Goal: 6 / 3
Passing Accuracy: 87.6% / 84.7%
Saves: 1 / 1
Corners: 7 / 2
Fouls: 8 / 14
Offsides: 2 / 4
Possession: 61.1% / 38.9%
Referee: Jon Freemon
Assistant Referees: Cameron Blanchard, Brian Poeschel
Fourth Official: Chris Ruska
VAR and AVAR: Hilario Grajeda, Jonathan Johnson
