Chicago Fire FC Falls 2-1 to Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 17, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC (3-4-5, 14 points) fell 2-1 against Charlotte FC (5-5-3, 18 points) on Wednesday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Facing a Charlotte side that hadn’t lost at home since March 11, the Fire took a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute but ultimately fell 2-1 after conceding twice in the second half, as the home side extended their winning streak to four matches across all competitions.

A swift transition by the Fire in the 29th minute led to the first goal of the night when striker Kacper Przybyłko played a ball to the center for midfielder Brian Gutiérrez and continued his run forward. The young midfielder played the ball to Xherdan Shaqiri on the right before being promptly fouled. Referee Tori Penso let the play continue as Shaqiri sent a ball into space for Przybyłko, who dribbled up to face goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina. Przybyłko’s initial shot was saved by Kahlina, but the rebound fell right to his feet and he calmly sent the ball into the left side of the net.

Chicago’s best chance of the second half came in the 55th minute. Shaqiri once played a through ball into space, this time finding winger Maren Haile-Selassie in behind. Haile-Selassie sent in a cross that Przybyłko hit with a one-time volley, but his shot was blocked by a defender.

Charlotte FC leveled the match in the 68th minute when Justin Meram sent a cross for second-half substitute Brandon Cambridge. The young midfielder sent the ball across the goal into the upper left corner. Cambridge pulled the team ahead with another goal in the 81st minute.

NEXT MATCH: Chicago returns to the lakefront to celebrate Kid’s Night against Atlanta United FC at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 20 at Soldier Field. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV+, streamed in English on 890 WLS-AM, and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM.

Social: Twitter - @chicagofire, @vamosfire (Hashtags: #CF97 #VamosFire) | Instagram - @chicagofire | Facebook

Notes:

• Three changes were made to the lineup that faced St. Louis in Matchday 12 of the MLS regular season on May 13 at Soldier Field.
• Forward Kacper Przybyłko returned to the starting XI after coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 win against St. Louis. Przybyłko opened the scoring in the 29th minute with his third goal of the MLS regular season.
• Midfielder Brian Gutiérrez started on the left wing for the second-straight match, lining up once again next to Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri. The attacking midfielders were joined by Maren Haile-Selassie, who rejoined the starting lineup after sitting out the previous match due to being in concussion protocol.
• The Argentine duo of Federico Navarro and Gaston Gimenez once again stood side by side to support the attack, lining up together for the second-consecutive match and for the fourth time this year.
• Captain Rafael Czichos marshaled a backline made up of Arnaud Souquet, Mauricio Pineda and Miguel Navarro.
• 19-year-old goalkeeper Chris Brady started in his 10th match of the season.
• Defenders Jonathan Dean (left adductor) and Carlos Téran (right upper leg), midfielder Chris Mueller (hip) and forward Kei Kamara (rest) were unavailable for selection tonight.

Box Score:Charlotte FC 2:1 Chicago Fire FC

Goals:

CHI - Przybyłko (3) (WATCH) 29’

CLT - Cambridge (1) (Meram 3) (WATCH) 68’

CLT - Cambridge (2) (Bronico 1) (WATCH) 82’

Discipline:
CHI - Giménez (Yellow Card) 20’

CHI - Gutiérrez (Yellow Card) 39’

CLT - Malanda (Yellow Card) 45+1’

CLT - Kahlina (Yellow Card) 55’

CHI - Torres (Yellow Card) 72’

CLT - Swiderski (Yellow Card) 79’

CLT - Jones (Yellow Card) 87’

CLT - Sobocinski (Yellow Card) 88’

CHI - Koutsias (Yellow Card) 90+1’

Chicago Fire FC: GK Brady, D Souquet, D Pineda, D Czichos (capt.), D M. Navarro (Aceves, 78’), M Giménez, M F. Navarro, M Haile-Selassie (Herbers, 69’), M Shaqiri, M Gutiérrez (Torres, 69’), F Przybyłko (Koutsias, 78’)

Subs not used: GK Richey, D Omsberg, D Burks,, M Casas Jr., F Rodriguez

Charlotte FC: GK Kahlina, D Sobocinski, D Byrne, D Lindsey (Cambridge, ‘59’), D Malanda (Tuiloma, 84’), M Westwood (capt.), M Bronico, M Jones, M Meram (Hegardt, 90’), F Copetti, F Swiderski

Subs not used: GK Sisniega, D Afful, D Mora, M Poreba, F Agyemang, F Scardina

Stats Summary: CLT / CHIShots: 5 / 5
Shots on Goal: 3 / 3
Saves: 2 / 1
Passing Accuracy: 85.1% / 75.6%
Corners: 8 / 2
Fouls: 10 / 14
Offsides: 0 / 5
Possession: 63.7% / 36.3%

Referee: Tori Penso
Assistant Referees: Jose Da Silva, Brooke Mayo
Fourth Official: Ismail Elfath
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
Asst. VAR: Maggie Short