CHICAGO (Sept. 29, 2021) - Chicago Fire FC (7-15-6, 27 points) defeated New York City FC (11-10-6, 39 points) 2-0 at SeatGeek Stadium on Wednesday night. The result marked the Fire’s seventh shutout of the season and its second in the last two matches.
After creating a number of chances in the first half, including both Robert Berić and Jhon Espinoza hitting the woodwork in the 42nd minute, the Fire eventually found the breakthrough goal just three minutes into the second half when Berić scored his fourth of the season. Midfielder Álvaro Medrán slipped a ball through New York City’s backline off a set play, which the Slovenian calmly slotted into the back of the net.
The Fire would double the lead in the 66th minute when Federico Navarro notched his first career goal for Chicago. Berić was able to find the feet of Navarro, who hit a low shot past a diving Sean Johnson.
Chicago homegrown goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, 17, made three saves in his fifth appearance of the campaign, earning his third career shutout.
NEXT GAME: The Fire will head north of the border to face Toronto FC on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 3:00 p.m. CT (WGN-TV, CFFC Live and WOJO 105.1 FM HD-3). The Fire will play five of its six remaining regular season games on the road. The Club’s regular season home finale will take place on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m. CT against Real Salt Lake.
NOTES:
- Tonight’s match marked the second straight shutout for 17-year-old goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina. The Fire Homegrown now has three shutouts in five career starts for the Club.
- Medrán tallied his team-leading sixth assist of the season.
- Navarro scored his first career goal for the Fire.
- The Fire have lost just two of their last 11 home matches dating back to June 26 (5-2-4).
- Overall, the Fire have posted a 3-2-3 home record against NYCFC since 2015.
- In 230 games played at SeatGeek Stadium, the Fire hold a 102-54-74 record in regular season play.
- Fire players wore the names and ages of 20 pediatric cancer patients from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago on the back of their warm-up tops. The player-worn warm-up tops will be autographed and included in a care package from the Club that is being gifted to the patients and their families.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 2:0 New York City FC
Goals:
CHI - Berić (4) (Medrán 6) 48’
CHI - F. Navarro (1) (Berić 3) 66’
Discipline:
NYC - Medina (Yellow Card) 10’
CHI - F. Navarro (Yellow Card) 16’
NYC - Acevedo (Yellow Card) 27’
CHI - Giménez (Yellow Card) 59’
Chicago Fire FC: GK G. Slonina, D Kappelhof, D Pineda, D Bornstein ©, M Espinoza, M F. Navarro, M M. Navarro, M Giménez, M Medrán (Stojanović 90’), F Berić (Offor 74’), F Herbers (Aliseda 85’)
Subs not used: GK Shuttleworth, D Omsberg, M Casas Jr., M Monis, F Offor, F Collier, F Ivanov
New York City FC: GK Johnson, D Tinnerholm, D Chanot, D Callens, D Thorainsson (Amundesen 76’), D Acevedo (Rodriguez 58’), M Morales (Heber 86’), M Medina (Tajouri-Shradi 76’) , M Parks, F Moralez, F Magno (Thiago 59’)
Subs not used: GK Barraza, D Gray, M Zelalem, F Jasson
Stats Summary: CHI / NYC
Shots: 12 / 10
Shots on Goal: 5 / 2
Passing Accuracy: 79.1% / 79.4%
Saves: 3 / 3
Corners: 5 / 8
Fouls: 15 / 13
Offsides: 2 / 2
Possession: 48.5% / 51.5%
Attendance: 5,593
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Assistant Referees: Peter Balciunas, Andrew Bigelow
Fourth Official: Fotis Bazakos
VAR: Kevin Terry Jr., Peter Manikowski
