Chicago Fire FC Falls 3-2 to Toronto FC at BMO Field

TORONTO (May 28, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC (2-7-5, 11 points) fell 3-2 to Toronto FC (4-7-3, 15 points) at BMO Field on Saturday night. The Fire finished the match with 33 shots taken, the most in Club history, after outshooting Toronto FC 27-3 in the second half.

Despite a strong first half in which they outshot (6-2) and out-possessed (57.3% - 42.7%) Toronto, the Fire entered the halftime interval down 1-0, following a 13th minute finish from Deandre Kerr. The goal marked the second of the season for Toronto’s rookie striker.

After creating a string of chances to begin the second 45, Chicago would eventually draw level when Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri clipped a ball into the box for defender Carlos Terán, who powered his header home from close range in the 52nd minute. The goal marked the first of the season for Terán and the second of his MLS career. 

Moments later, Shaqiri would notch another assist, combining with midfielder Gastón Giménez to create a golden opportunity for forward Kacper Przybyłko. The Polish forward intentionally struck his attempt off the ground and into the back of the net to notch his third goal of the season, while Shaqiri notched his team-leading sixth assist.

However, Toronto would respond with two goals in seven minutes courtesy of Spanish midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo. The Designated Player converted a controversial penalty kick in the 71st minute, before burying a shot from just outside the 18-yard box to give the hosts a 3-2 lead in the 78th minute. 

NEXT MATCH: Following a two-week break due to the FIFA window, the Fire will return to league play on Saturday, June 18 at Soldier Field against D.C. United. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT, the match will be nationally televised on UniMás, TUDN, Twitter (English audio), and Univision Radio. Tickets to the match are available for purchase here.

Notes:

• Shaqiri tallied two assists in a single game for the second time this season (prev: 3-1 win vs. Sporting Kansas City on 3/19/22).
• Shaqiri has now tallied four assists in the team’s last four matches.
• Giménez recorded his second assist of the season, and the sixth of his MLS career.
• Head coach Ezra Hendrickson made four changes to the starting lineup for tonight’s match against Toronto FC.
• Winger Jairo Torres made his first career start for the Fire. Torres previously appeared as a substitute in the team’s last three matches as he regained match fitness following an injury.
• Forward Kacper Przybyłko made his first start since April 23, while captain Rafael Czichos also returned to the starting lineup after missing last weekend’s match due to an injury.
• Partnering with Czichos in central defense, defender Carlos Terán notched his third start of the season with defender Wyatt Omsberg sidelined due to health and safety protocols.

Box Score:
Toronto FC 3:2 Chicago Fire FC

Goals:
TOR - Kerr (2) (Jimenez 3) 13’
CHI - Terán (1) (Shaqiri 5) 52’
CHI - Przybyłko (2) (Giménez 2, Shaqiri 6) 66’
TOR - Pozuelo (3) (penalty) 71’

Discipline:
TOR - Pozuelo (Yellow Card) 31’
CHI - Przybyłko (Yellow Card) 62’
CHI - Shaqiri (Yellow Card) 74’
CHI - Terán (Yellow Card) 80’
TOR - Westburg (Yellow Card) 86’
TOR - Priso (Yellow Card) 88’

Chicago Fire FC: GK Slonina, D Sekulić, D Terán, D Czichos ©, D M. Navarro, M Giménez, M F. Navarro (Gutiérrez, 86’), M Mueller, M Shaqiri, M Torres (Herbers, 75’), F Przybyłko (Durán 83’)

Subs not used: GK Mišković, D Bornstein, D Espinoza, M Casas Jr., M Ivanov

Toronto FC: GK Westberg, D Salcedo, D O’Neill (MacNaughton, 46’), D Petrasso, D Thompson, M Bradley ©, M Osorio (Nelson, 12’), M Kerr, F Jimenez (Shaffelburg, 67’), F Pozuelo (Priso, 82’) , F Akinola (Perruzza, 82’)

Subs not used: GK Bono, D Chung, M Antonoglou, M Achara

Stats Summary: TFC / CHI
Shots: 5 / 33
Shots on Goal: 4 / 9
Passing Accuracy: 72.9% / 81.7%
Corners: 1 / 8
Fouls: 5 / 9
Offsides: 0 / 9
Possession: 37.6% / 62.4%

Attendance: 25,906

Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
Assistant Referees: Chris Wattam, Gianni Facchini
Fourth Official: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
VAR: José Carlos Rivero, Jeremy Hanson