Chicago Fire FC Falls to New York City FC on a Penalty Kick at Yankee Stadium

NEW YORK (Oct. 27, 2021) - Chicago Fire FC (9-17-7, 34 points) fell 1-0 to New York City FC (13-11-8, 47 points) at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night. The result snapped a three-game unbeaten run for the Fire.

After a scoreless first half, NYCFC would take the lead in the 51st minute when forward Valentín Castellanos converted from the penalty spot.

Chicago had a late chance to equalize the score in the 91st minute. Defender Jhon Espinoza curled in a cross that midfielder Luka Stojanović headed on frame but had his attempt saved by NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

The penalty kick proved to be the only goal of the match, resulting in NYCFC’s first goal and win against Chicago this season.

NEXT GAME: The Fire will play its final match of the season on Sunday, Nov. 7 when the team faces Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field. Beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT, the match will be broadcast live on WGN-TV, CFFC Live and TUDN 1200 AM.

NOTES:

• Goalkeeper Gabiel Slonina followed up his MLS Team of the Week performance on Saturday by earning Man of the Match in tonight’s contest. The 17-year-old from Addison, Ill., made three saves in his 10th career start.
• The result marked the team’s first loss since Oct. 3, snapping a three-game unbeaten run.
• Chicago out-possessed the hosts on the night (57%-43%).

Box Score:
New York City FC 1:0 Chicago Fire FC

Goals:
NYC - Castellanos (16) (Penalty Kick) 51’

Discipline:
CHI - Pineda (Yellow Card) 32’
NYC - Castellanos (Yellow Card) 90+1’

Chicago Fire FC: GK G. Slonina, D Sekulić (Espinoza, 70’), D Pineda (Kappelhof, 63’), D Bornstein ©, D M. Navarro, M F. Navarro, M Giménez (Stojanović, 77’), M Medrán, F Herbers (Gutiérrez, 64’), F Berić (Offor, 64’), F Aliseda

Subs not used: GK Shuttleworth, D Calvo, D Omsberg, M Collier

New York City FC: GK Johnson ©, D Chanot, D Callens, D Morales, D Amundsen, D Sands, M Moralez, M Rodriguez (Jasson, 86’), M Parks (Zelalem, 74’), F Thiago (Medina, 64’), F Castellanos

Subs not used: GK Barraza, D Gloster, F Heber, M Rocha, D Latinovich, F Magno

Stats Summary: NYC / CHI
Shots: 19 / 9 
Shots on Goal: 4 / 5
Passing Accuracy: 78.2% / 82.5%
Saves: 5 / 3
Corners: 6 / 5
Fouls: 18 / 14
Offsides: 2 / 2
Possession: 43.3% / 56.7%

Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Assistant Referees: Brian Poeschel, Brian Dunn
Fourth Official: Chris Penso
VAR: Robert Sibiga, Gjovalin Bori