CHICAGO (April 8, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC (2-1-3, 9 points) defeated Minnesota United FC (3-1-2, 11 points) 2-1 to remain undefeated at Soldier Field in 2023.
Chicago is now unbeaten through its first four matches (1-0-3) at Soldier Field this season, with the win against Minnesota snapping the Loons’ four-match away unbeaten streak. Forward Kei Kamara scored a brace, increasing his tally as the highest active goal scorer in Major League Soccer history with 142 goals.
With the result, the Fire climbed above the playoff line and moved into sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Club also has a game in hand over the top five teams in the East.
Kamara scored the 141st regular season goal of his Major League Soccer career and his second for the Fire in the 23rd minute. With the Minnesota defense unable to clear the ball despite several attempts, a rebound fell to an unmarked Kamara on the right side of the 18-yard box. Kamara cut the ball back onto his left foot and fired a shot that deflected off a Minnesota defender before beating goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
Kamara added to his record in the 36th minute when he scored a diving header after connecting with defender Arnaud Souquet’s cross into the box. With 142 regular season goals scored, Kamara is third on the MLS all-time goal-scoring list, behind only Landon Donovan (145) and Chris Wondolowski (171).
Minnesota pulled one back in the 57th minute when the Loons earned a free kick in dangerous territory. Kervin Arriaga took the set piece, which Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady couldn’t hold onto and it found its way into the back of the net.
Brady made a series of two saves in the 86th minute to keep the score at 2-1, when Minnesota swung a ball in from the left side of the box. Brady dove to save it and the rebound fell to another Loon forward. The shot was quick and on-frame, but Brady had recovered and smothered it with his body. The Chicago Homegrown had five saves on the night.
NEXT MATCH: Chicago will complete its three-game homestand on Saturday, April 15 against the Philadelphia Union at 7:30 p.m. at Soldier Field. The match will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+ and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM.
Notes:
- With the 2-1 result, the Fire is unbeaten in four straight matches in League play (2-0-2), accumulating eight points during that stretch.
- Kei Kamara, who played for Minnesota United FC during the 2020 season, has scored five goals in seven career matches against the Loons. More than half (73) of Kamara's 141 MLS goals have been scored against MLS teams he played for at one point in his career.
- With a brace in tonight’s match, Kamara currently leads the team in goals scored (three). Additionally, he is the first Fire player to tally a brace in a match in 2023.
- Defender Arnaud Souquet tallied his second assist of the campaign.
- Defender Wyatt Omsberg entered the match in the 69th minute for the first time this season, playing against his former club. Omsberg was selected No. 15 overall by Minnesota United in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
- Forward Georgios Koutsias made his Chicago Fire and Major League Soccer debut, entering the match in the 74th minute for Kamara.
- Two changes were made to the starting XI that faced D.C. United at home last match.
- Kamara returned to the opening lineup to make his second start for the Fire since arriving before the start of the season.
- Also back in the starting XI was Miguel Navarro, who was fresh off returning from international duty with Venezuela.
- Midfielder Jairo Torres (right upper leg), midfielder Federico Navarro (left upper leg), midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri (right upper leg), and forward Victor Bezerra (left upper leg) were unavailable for selection due to injury tonight.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 2:1 Minnesota United FC
Goals:
CHI - Kamara (2) (WATCH) 24’
CHI - Kamara (3) (Souquet 2) (WATCH) 36’
MIN - Arriaga (1) (WATCH) 57’
Discipline:
CHI - Omsberg (Yellow Card) 82’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Brady, D Souquet (Omsberg, 69’), D Terán, D Czichos (capt.), D M. Navarro, M Giménez (M Pineda, 80), M Herbers, M Haile-Selassie (Dean, 69’), M Gutiérrez (F Przybyłko, 80’), M Mueller, F Kamara (Koutsias, 74’)
Subs not used: GK Richey, D Aceves, M Casas Jr., F RodrÃguez
Minnesota United FC: GK St. Clair, D Tapias, D Boxall, D Lawrence, M Fragapane (Rosales, 62’), M Lod, M Trapp (capt.) (Dotson, 62’), M Taylor, M Arriaga (GarcÃa, 89’), F Amarilla (Bin Jeong, 61’), F Hlongwane
Subs not used: GK Irwin, D Valentin, D Marques, D Kallman, F Dunbar
Stats Summary: CHI / MIN
Shots: 14 / 10
Shots on Goal: 2 / 6
Saves: 5 / 0
Passing Accuracy: 83.7% / 78.1%
Corners: 4 / 5
Fouls: 9 / 4
Offsides: 1 / 3
Possession: 51.6% / 48.4%
Attendance: 12,128
Referee: Tim Ford
Assistant Referees: Kyle Atkins, Brian Dunn
Fourth Official: Jose Da Silva
VAR: Malik Badawi, Rene Parra
October 7 vs Charlotte FC
Chicago Fire FC celebrated Fan Appreciation Night on October 7, 2023 to give back to our dedicated fans and their commitment throughout the season!
