Chicago Fire FC Falls 3-1 to Toronto FC at BMO Field

TORONTO (Oct. 3, 2021) - Chicago Fire FC (7-16-6, 27 points) fell 3-1 to Toronto FC (6-15-7, 25 points) at BMO Field on Sunday afternoon. The result snapped a two-game unbeaten run for the Fire.

Chicago provided the game’s opening goal in the 16th minute when forward Robert Berić scored for a second straight match. Making an intelligent run inside the area, Berić hit a pass from midfielder Fabian Herbers with a first-time shot that deflected off midfielder Michael Bradley, before looping over goalkeeper Alex Bono.

The home side came close to equalizing in the 36th minute after controversially receiving a penalty kick for a handball inside the box. With Designated Player Yeferson Soteldo looking to convert from the spot, 17-year-old Homegrown goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina rose to the occasion for the Fire, denying the Venezuelan’s attempt with a diving save to his right.

Toronto managed to pull one back when midfielder Marco Delgado’s deflected shot snuck into the far corner in the 44th minute. The finish marked Delgado’s third of the season and his second consecutive game with a goal.

TFC would take the lead in the 56th minute when defender Omar Gonzalez scored a thumping header from a short corner. As the Fire pushed forward in search of the equalizer, Toronto would find a third when Soteldo scored in the 70th minute.

NEXT GAME: Following a one-week FIFA break, the Fire will return to league play on Saturday, Oct. 16 against the league-leading New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. CT, the match will be broadcast live on WGN-TV, CFFC Live and TUDN 1200 AM.

NOTES:

• Berić scored his fifth goal of the season. The Slovenian striker has scored 17 career goals in 52 appearances (44 starts) for the Fire.
• Herbers notched his fourth assist in 2021. His four assists are tied for the second-most on the team.
• Herbers also made his 19th start of the season today, marking a career high in a single season for the German. His previous career high for starts in a single season was 18, set in the 2020 campaign.

Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 1:3 Toronto FC

Goals:
CHI - Berić (5) (Herbers 4) 16’
TOR - Delgado (3) (Shaffelberg 3) 44’
TOR - Gonzalez (3) (Soteldo 10) 56’
TOR - Soteldo (3) (Osorio 1) 70’

Discipline:
TOR - Soteldo (Yellow Card) 9’
CHI - Offor (Yellow Card) 86’
TOR - Laryea (Yellow Card) 89’

Chicago Fire FC: GK G. Slonina, D Kappelhof (Collier 75’), D Pineda, D Bornstein ©, M Espinoza (Ivanov 61’), M F. Navarro, M M. Navarro (Calvo 75’), M Giménez, M Medrán (Offor 62’), F Berić, F Herbers (Aliseda 21’)

Subs not used: GK Shuttleworth, D Omsberg, M Casas Jr., M Monis

Toronto FC: GK Bono, D Gonzalez, D Lawrence, D Auro Jr., M Bradley ©, M Delgado, M Osorio, M Laryea, M Shaffelburg (Marshall-Rutty 77’), M Achara (Morrow 84’), F Soteldo (Mullins 90’)

Subs not used: GK Westberg, D Singh, D DeLeon, M Pozuelo, M Okello, F Nelson

Stats Summary: TOR / CHI
Shots: 14 / 11 
Shots on Goal: 6 / 5
Passing Accuracy: 81.3% / 79.6%
Saves: 4 / 3
Corners: 4 / 4 
Fouls: 14 / 16
Offsides: 2 / 1
Possession: 54.3% / 45.7%

Referee: Nima Saghafi
Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Adam Wienckowski
Fourth Official: Ramy Touchan
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez, Robert Schaap